AfghanistanAfghanistan was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union in 1979. The USSR was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. Fighting subsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, but the fundamentalist Islamic Taliban movement has been able to seize most of the country. In addition to the continuing civil strife, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread land mines.Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran33 00 N, 65 00 EAsia647,500 sq km647,500 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Texastotal- 5,529 kmChina 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summersmostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwestAmu Darya 258 mNowshak 7,485 mnatural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones12%0%46%3%39% (1993 est.)30,000 sq km (1993 est.)damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughtssoil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertificationDesertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test BanBiodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservationlandlocked26,813,057 (July 2001 est.) 42.2% (male 5,775,921; female 5,538,836) 55.01% (male 7,644,242; female 7,106,568) 2.79% (male 394,444; female 353,046) (2001 est.)3.48% (2001 est.) note- this rate reflects the continued return of refugees from Iran41.42 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)17.72 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)11.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female (2001 est.)147.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 46.24 years 46.97 years 45.47 years (2001 est.)5.79 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)NANAAfghan(s)AfghanPashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 19%, minor ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) 12%, Uzbek 6%Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi a Muslim 15%, other 1%Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism age 15 and over can read and write 31.5% 47.2% 15% (1999 est.)Islamic State of Afghanistan; note - the self-proclaimed Taliban government refers to the country as Islamic Emirate of AfghanistanAfghanistanDowlat-e Eslami-ye AfghanestanAfghanestanRepublic of Afghanistanno functioning central government, administered by factionsKabul30 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol; note - there may be two new provinces of Nurestan (Nuristan) and Khowst19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)Independence Day, 19 August (1919)nonea new legal system has not been adopted but all factions tacitly agree they will follow Shari a (Islamic law)NA; previously males 15-50 years of agenone (landlocked)on 27 September 1996, the ruling members of the Afghan Government were displaced by members of the Islamic Taliban movement; the Islamic State of Afghanistan has no functioning government at this time, and the country remains divided among fighting factions note- the Taliban have declared themselves the legitimate government of Afghanistan; however, the UN still recognizes the government of Burhanuddin RABBANI; the Organization of the Islamic Conference has left the Afghan seat vacant until the question of legitimacy can be resolved through negotiations among the warring factions; the country is essentially divided along ethnic lines; the Taliban controls the capital of Kabul and approximately two-thirds of the country including the predominately ethnic Pashtun areas in southern Afghanistan; opposing factions have their stronghold in the ethnically diverse northnon-functioning as of June 1993upper courts were non-functioning as of March 1995 (local Shari a or Islamic law courts are functioning throughout the country)Taliban (Religious Students Movement) [Mullah Mohammad OMAR]; United National Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan or UNIFSA [Burhanuddin RABBANI, chairman; Gen. Abdul Rashid DOSTAM, vice chairman; Ahmad Shah MASOOD, military commander; Mohammed Yunis QANUNI, spokesman]; note - made up of 13 parties opposed to the Taliban including Harakat-i-Islami Afghanistan (Islamic Movement of Afghanistan), Hizb-i-Islami (Islamic Party), Hizb-i-Wahdat-i-Islami (Islamic Unity Party), Jumaat-i-Islami Afghanistan (Islamic Afghan Society), Jumbish-i-Milli (National Front), Mahaz-i-Milli-i-Islami (National Islamic Front)Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Australia, US, and elsewhere have organized politically; Mellat (Social Democratic Party) [leader NA]; Peshawar, Pakistan-based groups such as the Coordination Council for National Unity and Understanding in Afghanistan or CUNUA [Ishaq GAILANI]; tribal elders represent traditional Pashtun leadership; Writers Union of Free Afghanistan or WUFA [A. Rasul AMIN]AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO New Yorkthree equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a gold emblem centered on the three bands; the emblem features a temple-like structure with Islamic inscriptions above and below, encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bolder Islamic inscription above, all of which are encircled by two crossed scimitars note- the Taliban uses a plain white flag Afghanistan EconomyAfghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during two decades of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). During that conflict one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan and Iran sheltering a combined peak of more than 6 million refugees. In early 2000, 2 million Afghan refugees remained in Pakistan and about 1.4 million in Iran. Gross domestic product has fallen substantially over the past 20 years because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport; severe drought added to the nation s difficulties in 1998-2000. The majority of the population continues to suffer from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Inflation remains a serious problem throughout the country. International aid can deal with only a fraction of the humanitarian problem, let alone promote economic development. In 1999-2000, internal civil strife continued, hampering both domestic economic policies and international aid efforts. Numerical data are likely to be either unavailable or unreliable. Afghanistan was by far the largest producer of opium poppies in 2000, and narcotics trafficking is a major source of revenue.purchasing power parity - $21 billion (2000 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.)53%28.5%18.5% (1990)NA%NA%NA%NA%10 million (2000 est.)agriculture 70%, industry 15%, services 15% (1990 est.)NA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAsmall-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil, coal, copper420 million kWh (1999)35.71%64.29%0% 0% (1999)480.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)90 million kWh (1999)opium poppies, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, karakul pelts$80 million (does not include opium) (1996 est.)opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gemsFSU, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic$150 million (1996 est.)capital goods, food and petroleum products; most consumer goodsFSU, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea, Germany$5.5 billion (1996 est.)US provided about $70 million in humanitarian assistance in 1997; US continues to contribute to multilateral assistance through the UN programs of food aid, immunization, land mine removal, and a wide range of aid to refugees and displaced personsafghani (AFA)AFAafghanis per US dollar - 4,700 (January 2000), 4,750 (February 1999), 17,000 (December 1996), 7,000 (January 1995), 1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850 (1991); note - these rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than the official exchange rate, which was fixed at 50.600 afghanis to the dollar until 1996, when it rose to 2,262.65 per dollar, and finally became fixed again at 3,000.00 per dollar in April 199621 March - 20 March Afghanistan Communications29,000 (1996) note- there were 21,000 main lines in service in Kabul in 1998NA very limited telephone and telegraph service in 1997, telecommunications links were established between Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul through satellite and microwave systems satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) linked only to Iran and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); commercial satellite telephone center in GhazniAM 7 (6 are inactive; the active station is in Kabul), FM 1, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pushtu, Dari, Urdu, and English) (1999)167,000 (1999)at least 10 (one government run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 30 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998)100,000 (1999).af1 (2000)NA24.6 km broad gauge- 9.6 km 1.524-m gauge from Gushgy (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi; 15 km 1.524-m gauge from Termiz (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya21,000 km2,793 km18,207 km (1998 est.)1,200 km note- chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels with DWT up to about 500 (2001)petroleum products - Uzbekistan to Bagram and Turkmenistan to Shindand; natural gas 180 kmKheyrabad, Shir Khan45 (2000 est.) 10 3 4 2 1 (2000 est.) 35 4 15 4 12 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.)NA; note - the military does not exist on a national basis; some elements of the former Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Forces, National Police Force (Sarandoi), and tribal militias still exist but are factionalized among the various groups22 years of agemales age 15-49- 6,645,023 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,561,957 (2001 est.)males- 252,869 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- support to Islamic militants worldwide by some factions; question over which group should hold Afghanistan s seat at the UNworld s largest illicit opium producer, surpassing Burma (potential production in 1999 - 1,670 metric tons; cultivation in 1999 - 51,500 hectares, a 23% increase over 1998); a major source of hashish; increasing number of heroin-processing laboratories being set up in the country; major political factions in the country profit from drug tradeAlbaniaIn 1990 Albania ended 44 years of xenophobic communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. International observers judged local elections in 2000 to be acceptable and a step toward democratic development, but serious deficiencies remain to be corrected before the the 2001 parliamentary elections.Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia41 00 N, 20 00 EEurope28,748 sq km27,398 sq km1,350 sq kmslightly smaller than Marylandtotal- 720 kmGreece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 151 km, Yugoslavia 287 km362 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation12 NMmild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wettermostly mountains and hills; small plains along coastAdriatic Sea 0 mMaja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,753 mpetroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel, hydropower21%5%15%38%21% (1993 est.)3,410 sq km (1993 est.)destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; droughtdeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluentsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsstrategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)3,510,484 (July 2001 est.) 29.53% (male 536,495; female 500,026) 63.48% (male 1,073,351; female 1,155,115) 6.99% (male 107,476; female 138,021) (2001 est.)0.88% (2001 est.)19.01 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-3.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)39.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.83 years 69.01 years 74.87 years (2001 est.)2.32 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (2000 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Albanian(s)AlbanianAlbanian 95%, Greeks 3%, other 2% (Vlachs, Gypsies, Serbs, and Bulgarians) (1989 est.) note- in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note- all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practiceAlbanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek age 9 and over can read and write 93% (1997 est.) NA% NA%Republic of AlbaniaAlbaniaRepublika e ShqiperiseShqiperiaPeople s Socialist Republic of Albaniaemerging democracyTirana36 districts (rrethe, singular - rreth) and 1 municipality* (bashki); Berat, Bulqize, Delvine, Devoll (Bilisht), Diber (Peshkopi), Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Gramsh, Has (Krume), Kavaje, Kolonje (Erseke), Korce, Kruje, Kucove, Kukes, Kurbin, Lezhe, Librazhd, Lushnje, Malesi e Madhe (Koplik), Mallakaster (Ballsh), Mat (Burrel), Mirdite (Rreshen), Peqin, Permet, Pogradec, Puke, Sarande, Shkoder, Skrapar (Corovode), Tepelene, Tirane (Tirana), Tirane* (Tirana), Tropoje (Bajram Curri), Vlore note- administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)Independence Day, 28 November (1912)a new constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note - the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the votehas not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident of the Republic Rexhep MEIDANI (since 24 July 1997)Prime Minister Ilir META (since 29 October 1999)Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president president elected by the People s Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president Rexhep MEIDANI elected president; People s Assembly vote by number - total votes 122, for 110, against 3, abstained 2, invalid 7unicameral People s Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (155 seats; most members are elected by direct popular vote and some by proportional vote for four-year terms) last held 29 June 1997 (next held 24 June 2001, 2nd round 8 July 2001) percent of vote by party - PS 53.36%, PD 25.33%, PSD 2.5%, PBDNJ 2.78%, PBK 2.36%, PAD 2.85%, PR 2.25%, PLL 3.09%, PDK 1.00%, PBSD 0.84%; seats by party - PS 101, PD 27, PSD 8, PBDNJ 4, PBK 3, PAD 2, PR 2, PLL 2, PDK 1, PBSD 1, PUK 1, independents 3Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People s Assembly for a four-year term)Albanian National Front (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Abaz ERMENJI]; Albanian Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Albanian Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albania Workers Party) [Fatos NANO, chairman]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; Democratic Alliance or PAD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Group of Reformist Democrats [Leonard NDOKA]; Liberal Union Party [Teodor LACO]; note - Teodor LACO of the Liberal Union Party was leader of the Social Democratic Union of Albania or PBSD; Movement of Legality Party or PLL [Nderim KUPI]; OMONIA [Vagjelis DULES]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQUIRI]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Unity for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO, chairman]NAACCT (associate), BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Petrit BUSHATI 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 223-4942 [1] (202) 628-7342 Ambassador Joseph LIMPRECHT Rruga Elbasanit Labinoti 103, Tirana PSC 59, Box 100(A), APO AE 09624 [355] (42) 32875, 33520 [355] (42) 32222red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Albania EconomyPoor by European standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more open-market economy. The economy rebounded in 1993-95 after a severe depression accompanying the end of the previous centrally planned system in 1990 and 1991. However, a weakening of government resolve to maintain stabilization policies in the election year of 1996 contributed to renewal of inflationary pressures, spurred by the budget deficit which exceeded 12% of GDP. The collapse of financial pyramid schemes in early 1997 - which had attracted deposits from a substantial portion of Albania s population - triggered severe social unrest which led to more than 1,500 deaths, widespread destruction of property, and a 7% drop in GDP. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to revive economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by remittances from some 20% of the labor force that works abroad, mostly in Greece and Italy. These remittances supplement GDP and help offset the large foreign trade deficit. Most agricultural land was privatized in 1992, substantially improving peasant incomes. In 1998, Albania recovered the 7% drop in GDP of 1997 and pushed ahead by 8% in 1999 and by 7.5% in 2000. International aid helped defray the high costs of receiving and returning refugees from the Kosovo conflict. Privatization scored some successes in 2000, but other reforms lagged.purchasing power parity - $10.5 billion (2000 est.)7.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2000 est.)55%24%21% (2000)19.6% (1996 est.)NA%NA%1% (2000 est.)1.692 million (including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) (1994 est.)agriculture 50%, industry and services 50%16% (2000 est.) officially; may be as high as 25%$393 million$676 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower9% (2000 est.)5.332 billion kWh (1999)3.81%96.19%0% 0% (1999)5.379 billion kWh (1999)100 million kWh (1999)600 million kWh (2000)wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products$310 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobaccoItaly 67%, Greece 15%, Germany 5%, Austria 2%, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 2% (2000)$1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicalsItaly 37%, Greece 28%, Turkey 6%, Germany 6%, Bulgaria 3% (2000)$1 billion (2000)$NA; aid for energy from China, Germany, Norway (2000)lek (ALL)ALLleke per US dollar - 146.08 (December 2000),143.71 (2000) 137.69 (1999), 150.63 (1998), 148.93 (1997), 104.50 (1996); note - leke is the plural of lekcalendar year Albania Communications87,000 (1997)3,100 (1999) Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and GreeceAM 16, FM 3, shortwave 2 (1999)810,000 (1997)9 (plus 264 repeaters) (1995)405,000 (1997).al7 (2000)2,500 (2000)447 km447 km 1.435-m gauge (2001)18,000 km5,400 km12,600 km (1998 est.)43 km note- includes Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990)crude oil 145 km; petroleum products 55 km; natural gas 64 km (1991)Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,797 GRT/26,324 DWTcargo 9 (2000 est.)11 (2000 est.) 3 3 (2000 est.) 8 1 1 2 4 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards19 years of agemales age 15-49- 870,768 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 712,763 (2001 est.)males- 35,792 (2001 est.)$42 million (FY99)1.5% (FY99)international- the Albanian Government supports protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside of its borders but has downplayed them to further its primary foreign policy goal of regional cooperation; Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Yugoslavia; Albanians in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia claim discrimination in education, access to public-sector jobs, and representation in governmentincreasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly expanding in EuropeAlgeriaAfter a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962. The surprising first round success of the fundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in December 1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS, and postpone the subsequent elections. The FIS response has resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with the secular state apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. FIS s armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded itself in January 2000 and many armed militants surrendered under an amnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, residual fighting continues. Other concerns include large-scale unemployment and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy.Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia28 00 N, 3 00 EAfrica2,381,740 sq km2,381,740 sq km0 sq kmslightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texastotal- 6,343 kmLibya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km998 kmexclusive fishing zone- 32-52 NM12 NMarid 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 summermostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plainChott Melrhir -40 mTahat 3,003 mpetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc3%0%13%2%82% (1993 est.)5,550 sq km (1993 est.)mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mud slidessoil 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 waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsNuclear Test Bansecond-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)31,736,053 (July 2001 est.) 34.21% (male 5,528,755; female 5,328,083) 61.72% (male 9,901,319; female 9,687,449) 4.07% (male 594,973; female 695,474) (2001 est.)1.71% (2001 est.)22.76 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)40.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.95 years 68.6 years 71.34 years (2001 est.)2.72 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.07% (1999 est.)NANAAlgerian(s)AlgerianArab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects age 15 and over can read and write 61.6% 73.9% 49% (1995 est.)People s Democratic Republic of AlgeriaAlgeriaAl Jumhuriyah al Jaza iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha biyahAl Jaza irrepublicAlgiers48 provinces (wilayas, 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, Tlemcen5 July 1962 (from France)Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996; note - referendum approving the revisions of 28 November 1996 was signed into law 7 December 1996socialist, 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 jurisdiction18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 32-52 NMPresident Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)Prime Minister Ali BENFLIS (since 26 August 2000)Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 April 1999 (next to be held NA April 2004); prime minister appointed by the president Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA elected president; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA over 70%; note - his six opposing candidates withdrew on the eve of the election citing electoral fraudbicameral Parliament consists of the National People s Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (380 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) National People s Assembly - last held 5 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); Council of Nations - last held 30 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) National People s Assembly - percent of vote by party - RND 40.8%, MSP 18.2%, FLN 16.8%, Nahda Movement 8.9%, FFS 5%, RCD 5%, PT 1.1%, Progressive Republican Party 0.8%, Union for Democracy and Liberty 0.3%, Social Liberal Party 0.3%, independents 2.8%; seats by party - RND 155, MSP 69, FLN 64, Nahda Movement 34, FFS 19, RCD 19, PT 4, Progressive Republican Party 3, Union for Democracy and Liberty 1, Social Liberal Party 1, independents 11; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 79, FLN 12, FFS 4, MSP 1 (remaining 48 seats appointed by the president, party breakdown NA)Supreme Court or Cour SupremeDemocratic National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI (imprisoned), Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Movement of a Peaceful Society or MSP [Mahfoud NAHNAH, chairman]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Boualem BENHAMOUDA, secretary general]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN] note- a party law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997NAABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Idriss JAZAIRY 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-2800 [1] (202) 667-2174 Ambassador Janet A. SANDERSON 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers [213] (21) 69-11-86, 69-12-55, 69-18-54, 69-38-75 [213] (21) 69-39-79two 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 crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) Algeria EconomyThe 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 fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second largest gas exporter; it ranks fourteenth for oil reserves. Algiers efforts to reform one of the most centrally planned economies in the Arab world stalled in 1992 as the country became embroiled in political turmoil. Algeria s financial and economic indicators improved during the mid-1990s, in part because of policy reforms supported by the IMF and debt rescheduling from the Paris Club. Algeria s finances in 2000 benefited from the spike in oil prices and the government s tight fiscal policy, leading to a large increase in the trade surplus, the near tripling of foreign exchange reserves, and reduction in foreign debt. The government continues efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, but has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards.purchasing power parity - $171 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $5,500 (2000 est.)11%37%52% (1999 est.)23% (1999 est.)2.8%26.8% (1995)2% (2000 est.)9.1 million (2000 est.)government 29%, agriculture 25%, construction and public works 15%, industry 11%, other 20% (1996 est.)30% (1999 est.)$15.8 billion$16 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.3 billion (2001 est.)petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing7% (1999 est.)23.215 billion kWh (1999)99.14%0.86%0% 0% (1999)21.613 billion kWh (1999)307 million kWh (1999)330 million kWh (1999)wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle$19.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%Italy 22%, US 15%, France 12%, Spain 11%, Brazil 8%, Netherlands 5% (1999)$9.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)capital goods, food and beverages, consumer goodsFrance 30%, Italy 9%, Germany 7%, Spain 6%, US 5%, Turkey 5% (1999)$25 billion (2000 est.)$100 million (1999 est.)Algerian dinar (DZD)DZDAlgerian dinars per US dollar - 74,813 (January 2001), 75.260 (2000), 66.574 (1999), 58.739 (1998), 57.707 (1997), 54.749 (1996)calendar year Algeria Communications2.3 million (1998)33,500 (1999) telephone density in Algeria is very low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main lines has been increased in the last few years to a little more than 2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; much of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient good service in north but sparse in south; domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic earth stations are planned) 5 submarine cables; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998)AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)7.1 million (1997)46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)3.1 million (1997).dz2 (2000)20,000 (2000)4,820 km3,664 km 1.435-m gauge (301 km electrified; 215 km double track)1,156 km 1.055-m gauge (1996)104,000 km71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways)32,344 km (1996 est.)nonecrude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas 2,948 kmAlgiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Beni Saf, Dellys, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda, Tenes73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 896,911 GRT/1,047,991 DWTbulk 9, cargo 25, chemical tanker 7, liquefied gas 10, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 13, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)135 (2000 est.) 51 9 24 12 5 1 (2000 est.) 84 3 23 40 18 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie19 years of agemales age 15-49- 8,794,622 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 5,383,770 (2001 est.)males- 388,939 (2001 est.)$1.87 billion (FY99)4.1% (FY99)international- part of southeastern region claimed by Libya; Algeria supports exiled West Saharan Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western SaharaAmerican SamoaSettled 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.Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand14 20 S, 170 00 WOceania199 sq km199 sq km0 sq km note- includes Rose Island and Swains Islandslightly larger than Washington, DC0 km116 km200 NM12 NMtropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variationfive volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)Pacific Ocean 0 mLata 966 mpumice, pumicite5%10%0%70%15% (1993 est.)NA sq kmtyphoons common from December to Marchlimited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelinesPago 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 Ocean67,084 (July 2001 est.) 38.44% (male 13,278; female 12,512) 56.57% (male 18,784; female 19,163) 4.99% (male 1,779; female 1,568) (2001 est.)2.42% (2001 est.)24.88 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)10.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.32 years 70.89 years 80.02 years (2001 est.)3.5 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAAmerican Samoan(s)American SamoanSamoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5%Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English note- most people are bilingual age 15 and over can read and write 97% 98% 97% (1980 est.)Territory of American SamoaAmerican Samoa abbreviation- ASunincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the InteriorNAPago Pagonone (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*, Westernnone (territory of the US)Flag Day, 17 April (1900)ratified 1966, in effect 1967NA18 years of age; universalPresident George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1997) and Lieutenant Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 3 January 1997)NA US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8%bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - only independents elected note- American Samoa elects one delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate for a sixth termHigh Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA]NAESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPCblue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club American Samoa EconomyThis is 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 the great bulk of its foreign trade. 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, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia.purchasing power parity - $500 million (2000 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%14,000 (1996)government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)16% (1993)$121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants)$127 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97)tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing vessels), handicraftsNA%130 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)120.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock$500 million (1998)canned tuna 93%US 99.6%$471 million (1996)materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6%US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%$NAimportant financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994US dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 October - 30 September American Samoa Communications13,000 (1997)2,550 (1997) NA good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)57,000 (1997)1 (1997)14,000 (1997).as1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km350 km150 km200 kmnoneAunu u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta u Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- noneAndorraLong isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra has 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.Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain42 30 N, 1 30 EEurope468 sq km468 sq km0 sq km2.5 times the size of Washington, DCtotal- 120.3 kmFrance 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summersrugged mountains dissected by narrow valleysRiu Runer 840 mComa Pedrosa 2,946 mhydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead4%0%45%35%16% (1998 est.)NA sq kmsnowslides, avalanchesdeforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposalHazardous Wastesnone of the selected agreementslandlocked67,627 (July 2001 est.) 15.29% (male 5,425; female 4,917) 72.06% (male 25,654; female 23,078) 12.65% (male 4,299; female 4,254) (2001 est.)1.17% (2001 est.)10.29 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.11 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 83.47 years 80.57 years 86.57 years (2001 est.)1.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAAndorran(s)AndorranSpanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)Roman Catholic (predominant)Catalan (official), French, Castilian NA 100% NA% NA%Principality of AndorraAndorraPrincipat d AndorraAndorraparliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its heads 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 representativesAndorra la Vella7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of France and Spain)Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)Andorra s first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Frederic de SAINT-SERNIN (since NA); Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monseigneur Joan MARTI Alanis (since 31 January 1971), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA)Executive Council President Marc FORNE Molne (since 21 December 1994)Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 16 February 1997 (next to be held NA 2001) Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - 64%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 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms) last held 16 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2001) percent of vote by party - UL 57%, AND 21%, IDN 7%, ND 7%, other 8%; seats by party - UL 16, AND 6, ND 2, IDN 2, UPO 2Tribunal 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 ConstitucionalLiberal Union or UL [Marc Forne MOLNE] (renamed Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA); National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BARO SOLA]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vincenc MATEU Zamora]; New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU Cassany]; Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquial d Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO Coma] note- there are two other small partiesNACCC, CE, ECE, ICAO, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador (vacant) 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 750-8064 [1] (212) 750-6630 Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (3493) 280-2227; (3493) 205-7705three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Andorra EconomyTourism, the mainstay of Andorra s tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 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 "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited by a scarcity of arable land, and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing 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.purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1996 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $18,000 (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%1.62% (1998)30,787 salaried employees (1998)agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (1998)0%$385 million$342 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, tobacco, bankingNA%NA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhNA kWhNA kWh note- most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropowersmall quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep$58 million (f.o.b., 1998)tobacco products, furnitureFrance 34%, Spain 58% (1998)$1.077 billion (c.i.f., 1998)consumer goods, food, electricitySpain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (1998)$NAnoneFrench franc (FRF); Spanish peseta (ESP); euro (EUR)FRF; ESP; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996); Spanish pesetas per US dollar - 149.40 (1998), 146.41 (1997), 126.66 (1996)calendar year Andorra Communications32,946 (December 1998)14,117 (December 1998) NA modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges landline circuits to France and SpainAM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)16,000 (1997)0 (1997)27,000 (1997).ad1 (2000)5,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km269 km198 km71 km (1994 est.)nonenonenone (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of France and Spaininternational- noneAngolaCivil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, rendering hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century.Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo12 30 S, 18 30 EAfrica1,246,700 sq km1,246,700 sq km0 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Texastotal- 5,198 kmDemocratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 220 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km1,600 km24 NM200 NM12 NMsemiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateauAtlantic Ocean 0 mMorro de Moco 2,620 mpetroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium2%0%23%43%32% (1993 est.)750 sq km (1993 est.)locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateauoveruse 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 waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementsCabinda is separated from rest of country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo10,366,031 (July 2001 est.) 43.31% (male 2,266,870; female 2,222,262) 53.98% (male 2,847,089; female 2,748,091) 2.71% (male 127,798; female 153,921) (2001 est.)2.15% (2001 est.)46.54 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)24.68 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)193.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 38.59 years 37.36 years 39.87 years (2001 est.)6.48 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.78% (1999 est.)160,000 (1999 est.)15,000 (1999 est.)Angolan(s)AngolanOvimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages age 15 and over can read and write 42% 56% 28% (1998 est.)Republic of AngolaAngolaRepublica de AngolaAngolaPeople s Republic of Angolatransitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential systemLuanda18 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, Zaire11 November 1975 (from Portugal)Independence Day, 11 November (1975)11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets18 years of age; universalPresident Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentPresident Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola s first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI s National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumedunicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president)Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership- Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership- Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO]; UNITA-Renovada [Eugenio NGOLO "Manuvakola", leader] note- about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but won few seats and have little influence in the National AssemblyFront for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] note- FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda ProvinceACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI 1615 M Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 785-1156 [1] (202) 785-1258 New York Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN number 32 Rua Houari Boumeddienne, Luanda international mail- Caixa Postal 6484, Luanda; pouch- American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 [244] (2) 345-481, 346-418 [244] (2) 346-924two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle) Angola EconomyAngola is an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. Despite its abundant natural resources, output per capita is among the world s lowest. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% to GDP and 90% of exports. Violence continues, millions of land mines remain, and many farmers are reluctant to return to their fields. As a result, much of the country s food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to end its conflict and continue reforming government policies. Despite the increase in the pace of civil warfare in late 1998, the economy grew by an estimated 5% in 2000. The government introduced new currency denominations in 1999, including 1 and 5 kwanza notes. Internal strife discourages investment outside of the petroleum sector, which is producing roughly 800,000 barrels of oil per day. Angola has entered into a Staff Monitored Program (SMP) with the IMF. Continued growth depends on sharp cuts in inflation, further economic reform, and a lessening of fighting.purchasing power parity - $10.1 billion (2000 est.)4.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)7%60%33% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%325% (2000 est.)5 million (1997 est.)agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (1997 est.)extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2000 est.)$928 million$2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 est.)petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textilesNA%1.475 billion kWh (1999)32.2%67.8%0% 0% (1999)1.372 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish$7.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil 90%, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cottonUS 54%, South Korea 14%, Benelux 11%, China 7%, Taiwan 6% (1999)$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goodsSouth Korea 16%, Portugal 15%, US 13%, South Africa 10%, France 8% (1999)$10.8 billion (2000 est.)$493.1 million (1995)kwanza (AOA)AOAkwanza per US dollar - 17,910,800 (January 2001), 10,041,000 (2000), 2,790,706 (1999), 392,824 (1998), 229,040 (1997), 128,029 (1996); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old valuecalendar year Angola Communications62,000 (1997)7,052 (1997) telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 34, FM 7, shortwave 9 (1999)630,000 (1997)7 (1999)150,000 (1997).ao1 (2000)12,000 (1999)2,771 km (inland, much of the track is unusable because of land mines still in place from the civil war)2,648 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2000)76,626 km19,156 km57,470 km (1997)1,295 kmcrude oil 179 kmAmbriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Mocamedes, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 39,305 GRT/63,067 DWTcargo 8, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)247 (2000 est.) 31 4 8 12 6 1 (2000 est.) 216 2 5 30 96 83 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,480,016 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,246,224 (2001 est.)males- 103,807 (2001 est.)$1.2 billion (FY97)22% (1999)international- noneincreasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine and heroin destined for Western Europe and other African statesAnguillaColonized 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.Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico18 15 N, 63 10 WCentral America and the Caribbean91 sq km91 sq km0 sq kmabout half the size of Washington, DC0 km61 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMtropical; moderated by northeast trade windsflat and low-lying island of coral and limestoneCaribbean Sea 0 mCrocus Hill 65 msalt, fish, lobster0%0%0%0%100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds)NA sq kmfrequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system12,132 (July 2001 est.) 25.55% (male 1,574; female 1,526) 67.47% (male 4,200; female 3,985) 6.98% (male 376; female 471) (2001 est.)2.68% (2001 est.)15.17 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.61 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)17.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)24.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.31 years 73.41 years 79.29 years (2001 est.)1.79 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAAnguillan(s)AnguillanblackAnglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%English (official) age 12 and over can read and write 95% 95% 95% (1984 est.)noneAnguillaoverseas territory of the UKNAThe Valleynone (overseas territory of the UK)none (overseas territory of the UK)Anguilla Day, 30 MayAnguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990based on English common law18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter JOHNSTON (since NA February 2000)Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000)Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assemblyunicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) last held 3 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2005) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UF 4, AUM 2, independent 1High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The United Front or UF [Osbourne FLEMMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANANACaricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), ECLAC (associate)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 Anguilla EconomyAnguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. The economy, and especially the tourism sector, suffered a setback in late 1995 due to the effects of Hurricane Luis in September but recovered in 1996. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector. A comprehensive package of financial services legislation was enacted in late 1994. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend on the tourism sector and, therefore, on continuing income growth in the industrialized nations as well as favorable weather conditions.purchasing power parity - $96 million (1999 est.)7% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $8,200 (1999 est.)4%18%78% (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (1998 est.)4,400 (1992)commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%7% (1992 est.)$20.4 million$23.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.8 million (1997 est.)tourism, boat building, offshore financial services3.1% (1997 est.)NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhsmall quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising$4.5 million (1998)lobster, fish, livestock, saltNA$57.6 million (1998)NANA$8.8 million (1998)$3.5 million (1995)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)1 April - 31 March Anguilla Communications5,000 (1997)NA NA modern internal telephone system microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)3,000 (1997)1 (1997)1,000 (1997).ai16 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km279 km253 km26 km (1998 est.)noneBlowing Point, Road Bay Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- nonetransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and EuropeAntarcticaSpeculation 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 Peninsula region and areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1838 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Various "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century, including- 1902, first balloon flight (by British explorer Robert Falcon SCOTT); 1912, first to the South Pole (five Norwegian explorers under Roald AMUNDSEN); 1928, first fixed-wing aircraft flight (by Australian adventurer/explorer Sir Hubert WILKINS); 1929, first flight over the South Pole (by Americans Richard BYRD and Bernt BALCHEN); and 1935, first transantarctic flight (American Lincoln ELLSWORTH). Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but no other country recognizes 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.continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle90 00 S, 0 00 EAntarctic Region14 million sq km14 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 Europeslightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US0 km note- see entry on International disputes17,968 kmnone; twenty of 27 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 entrysevere 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 freezingabout 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to 5,140 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 continentBentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 mVinson Massif 5,140 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 sea wateriron 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 fisheries0%0%0%0%100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%)0 sq km (1993)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 shelfin 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 coming through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled antarctic marine plantsthe 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 uninhabitableno indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffed research stations note- approximately 29 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-round research on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 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; Summer (January) population - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); Winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations - 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); Summer-only stations - 32 total; Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99); 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 (July 2001 est.)noneAntarcticaAntarctic 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 23rd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Peru in May 1999. At the end of 2000, there were 44 treaty member nations- 27 consultative and 17 non-consultative. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 20 nonclaimant 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 (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. The year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was voted to full consultative (voting) status, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory. Claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Uruguay (1985), and the US. Non-consultative (nonvoting) members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), Ukraine (1992), and Venezuela (1999). 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 five specific annexes- 1) marine pollution, 2) fauna and flora, 3) environmental impact assessments, 4) waste management, and 5) protected area management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research.Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially. 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 and Polar Affairs, Room 5801, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone- (703) 292-8030, or see their website at www.nsf.gov. Antarctica Economynone; twenty of 27 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 entryFishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 1998-99 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 119,898 metric tons. Unregulated fishing landed five to six times more than the regulated fishery, and allegedly illegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure (by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. Companies interested in commercial fishing activities in Antarctica have put forward proposals. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 13,193 tourists visited in the 1999-2000 summer, up from the 10,013 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on 24 commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that made 143 trips during the summer. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks. Antarctica Communications0 note- information for US bases only (2001)NA NA NA NAAM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1 note- information for US bases only (1998)NA1 (the US Navy Antarctic Support Group operates a cable system with six channels for the American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo) note- information for US bases only (2000)several hundred at McMurdo Sound note- information for US bases only (2001).aqNAthere are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent19 note- 27 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for landing (2001 est.) 19 6 3 1 4 5 (2000 est.)27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2001 est.) 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 purposesinternational- Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize the territorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees westAntigua and BarbudaThe islands of Antigua and Barbuda became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Some 3,000 refugees fleeing a volcanic eruption on nearby Montserrat have settled in Antigua and Barbuda since 1995.Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico17 03 N, 61 48 WCentral America and the Caribbean442 sq km (Antigua 281 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)442 sq km0 sq km note- includes Redonda2.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km153 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical marine; little seasonal temperature variationmostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areasCaribbean Sea 0 mBoggy Peak 402 mNEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism18%0%9%11%62% (1993 est.)NA sq kmhurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughtswater 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 quicklyBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whalingnone of the selected agreements66,970 (July 2001 est.) 27.97% (male 9,527; female 9,203) 67.15% (male 22,450; female 22,519) 4.88% (male 1,360; female 1,911) (2001 est.)0.74% (2001 est.)19.5 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.87 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-6.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)22.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 70.74 years 68.45 years 73.14 years (2001 est.)2.31 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAAntiguan(s), Barbudan(s)Antiguan, Barbudanblack, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, SyrianAnglican (predominant), other Protestant, some Roman CatholicEnglish (official), local dialects age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling 89% 90% 88% (1960 est.)noneAntigua and Barbudaconstitutional monarchy with UK-style parliamentSaint John s6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip1 November 1981 (from UK)Independence Day, 1 November (1981)1 November 1981based on English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993)Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March 1994)Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; prime minister appointed by the governor generalbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 9 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ALP 12, UPP 4, independent 1Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People s Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - United National Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM)Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People s Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Lionel Alexander HURST 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 362-5211 [1] (202) 362-5225 Miamired, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band Antigua and Barbuda EconomyTourism continues to be the dominant activity in the economy accounting directly or indirectly for more than half of GDP. The budding offshore financial sector has been seriously hurt by financial sanctions imposed by the US and UK as a result of the loosening of its money-laundering controls. The government has made efforts to comply with international demands in order to get the sanctions lifted. Antigua and Barbuda was listed as a tax haven by the OECD in 2000. The dual island nation s agricultural production is mainly directed to the domestic market; the sector is constrained by the limited water supply and labor shortages that reflect the pull 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 income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for about one-third of all tourist arrivals.purchasing power parity - $533 million (1999 est.)4.6% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $8,200 (1999 est.)4%12.5%83.5% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%1.6% (1999 est.)30,000commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983)7% (1999 est.)$122.6 million$141.2 million, including capital expenditures of $17.3 million (1997 est.)tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)6% (1997 est.)95 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)88.4 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock$38 million (1998)petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%, US 0.3%$330 million (1998)food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oilUS 27%, UK 16%, Canada 4%, OECS 3%$357 million (1998)$2.3 million (1995)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)1 April - 31 March Antigua and Barbuda Communications28,000 (1996)1,300 (1996) NA good automatic telephone system 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and GuadeloupeAM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)36,000 (1997)2 (1997)31,000 (1997).ag16 (2000)8,000 (2000)77 km64 km 0.760-m gauge; 13 km 0.610-m gauge (used almost exclusively for handling sugarcane)1,165 km384 km781 km (1999 est.)noneSaint John s681 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,070,390 GRT/5,289,904 DWTbulk 15, cargo 424, chemical tanker 10, combination bulk 4, container 176, liquefied gas 4, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 29 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Cyprus 2, Germany 4, Slovenia 2 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (includes Coast Guard)$NANA%international- noneconsidered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as a drug-money-laundering centerArctic OceanThe 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.body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle90 00 N, 0 00 EArctic Region14.056 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 bodiesslightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US45,389 kmpolar 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 snowcentral surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that averages about 3 meters in thickness, although pressure ridges may be three times that size; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the 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)Fram Basin -4,665 msea level 0 msand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)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 Mayendangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepackmajor 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 Arctic Ocean EconomyEconomic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.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 waterwaysinternational- some maritime disputes (see littoral states)ArgentinaFollowing independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist dictatorship was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored Argentina s progress in democratic consolidation.Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay34 00 S, 64 00 WSouth America2,766,890 sq km2,736,690 sq km30,200 sq kmslightly less than three-tenths the size of the UStotal- 9,665 kmBolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km4,989 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMmostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwestrich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western borderSalinas Chicas -40 m (located on Peninsula Valdes)Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 mfertile plains of the Pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium9%1%52%19%19% (1993 est.)17,000 sq km (1993 est.)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 floodingenvironmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note- Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targetsAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservationsecond-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)37,384,816 (July 2001 est.) 26.54% (male 5,077,593; female 4,842,811) 63.04% (male 11,795,282; female 11,773,855) 10.42% (male 1,609,672; female 2,285,603) (2001 est.)1.15% (2001 est.)18.41 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.58 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)17.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.26 years 71.88 years 78.82 years (2001 est.)2.44 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.69% (1999 est.)130,000 (1999 est.)1,800 (1999 est.)Argentine(s)Argentinewhite (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3%nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French age 15 and over can read and write 96.2% 96.2% 96.2% (1995 est.)Argentine RepublicArgentinaRepublica ArgentinaArgentinarepublicBuenos Aires23 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, Antartica e Islas del Atlantico Sur; Tucuman note- the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica9 July 1816 (from Spain)Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)1 May 1853; revised August 1994mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and mandatoryPresident Fernando DE LA RUA (since 10 December 1999); Vice President Carlos "Chacho" ALVAREZ resigned 6 October 2000 and a replacement has not yet been named; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Fernando DE LA RUA (since 10 December 1999); Vice President Carlos "Chacho" ALVAREZ resigned 6 October 2000 and a replacement has not yet been named; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2003) Fernando DE LA RUA elected president; percent of vote - 48.5%bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; formerly, three members appointed by each of the provincial legislatures; presently transitioning to one-third of the members being elected every two years to six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; one-half of the members elected every two years to four-year terms) Senate - transition phase will begin in the 2001 elections when all seats will be fully contested; winners will randomly draw to determine whether they will serve a two-year, four-year, or full six-year term, beginning a rotating cycle renovating one-third of the body every two years; Chamber of Deputies - last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2001) Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - Peronist 40, UCR 20, Frepaso 1, other 11; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats by bloc or party - Alliance 124 (UCR 85, Frepaso 36, others 3), Peronist 101, AR 12, other 20Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate)Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO]; Front for a Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Carlos ALVAREZ]; Justicialist Party or PJ [Carlos Saul MENEM] (Peronist umbrella political organization); Radical Civic Union or UCR [Raul ALFONSIN]; several provincial partiesArgentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners association); business organizations; General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Peronist-dominated labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; studentsAfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MTCR, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Guillermo Enrique GONZALEZ 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 238-6400 [1] (202) 332-3171 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Ambassador James D. WALSH Avenida Colombia 4300, 1425 Buenos Aires international mail- use street address; APO address- Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 [54] (11) 4777-4533/4534 [54] (11) 4511-4997three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May Argentina EconomyArgentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. However, when President Carlos MENEM took office in 1989, the country had piled up huge external debts, inflation had reached 200% per month, and output was plummeting. To combat the economic crisis, the government embarked on a path of trade liberalization, deregulation, and privatization. In 1991, it implemented radical monetary reforms which pegged the peso to the US dollar and limited the growth in the monetary base by law to the growth in reserves. Inflation fell sharply in subsequent years. In 1995, the Mexican peso crisis produced capital flight, the loss of banking system deposits, and a severe, but short-lived, recession; a series of reforms to bolster the domestic banking system followed. Real GDP growth recovered strongly, reaching 8% in 1997. In 1998, international financial turmoil caused by Russia s problems and increasing investor anxiety over Brazil produced the highest domestic interest rates in more than three years, halving the growth rate of the economy. Conditions worsened in 1999 with GDP falling by 3%. President Fernando DE LA RUA, who took office in December 1999, sponsored tax increases and spending cuts to reduce the deficit, which had ballooned to 2.5% of GDP in 1999. Growth in 2000 was a disappointing 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government s ability to pay debts and maintain its fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. One bright spot at the start of 2001 was the IMF s offer of $13.7 billion in support.purchasing power parity - $476 billion (2000 est.)0.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $12,900 (2000 est.)6%32%62% (2000 est.)37% (1999 est.)NA%NA%-0.9% (2000 est.)15 million (1999)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%15% (December 2000)$44 billion$48 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel1% (2000 est.)77.087 billion kWh (1999)60.3%30.7%8.75% 0.25% (1999)77.111 billion kWh (1999)1.08 billion kWh (1999)6.5 billion kWh (1999)sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock$26.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehiclesBrazil 24%, EU 21%, US 11% (1999 est.)$25.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, plasticsEU 28%, US 22%, Brazil 21% (1999 est.)$154 billion (2000 est.)IMF offer of $13.7 billion (January 2001)Argentine peso (ARS)ARSArgentine pesos per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)calendar year Argentina Communications7.5 million (1998)3 million (December 1999) by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998", Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunication technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; the major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is being improved; however, telephone density is presently minimal, and making telephone service universally available will take some time microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables; two international gateways near Buenos Aires (1999)AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998)24.3 million (1997)42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997)7.95 million (1997).ar33 (2000)900,000 (2000)33,744 km (167 km electrified) broad gauge- 20,594 km 1.676-m gauge (141 km electrified)2,739 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified)10,154 km 1.000-m gauge; 257 km 0.750-m gauge (2000)215,434 km63,553 km (including 734 km of expressways)151,881 km (1998 est.)10,950 kmcrude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km; natural gas 9,918 kmBahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 185,355 GRT/281,475 DWTcargo 9, petroleum tanker 11, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 2 (2000 est.)1,359 (2000 est.) 143 4 25 57 48 9 (2000 est.) 1,216 2 2 56 601 555 (2000 est.)Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes Naval Aviation, Marines, and Coast Guard), Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force20 years of agemales age 15-49- 9,404,434 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 7,625,425 (2001 est.)males- 335,085 (2001 est.)$4.3 billion (FY99)1.3% (FY99)international- claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); claims UK-administered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps British and Chilean claimsuse as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US; increasing use as a money-laundering center; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasingArmeniaAn Orthodox Christian country, Armenia was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated exclave, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the exclave 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, 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.Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey40 00 N, 45 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States29,800 sq km28,400 sq km1,400 sq kmslightly smaller than Marylandtotal- 1,254 kmAzerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)highland continental, hot summers, cold wintersArmenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valleyDebed River 400 mAragats Lerr 4,095 msmall deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina17%3%24%15%41% (1993 est.)2,870 sq km (1993 est.)occasionally severe earthquakes; droughtssoil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; energy blockade, the result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant without adequate (IAEA-recommended) safety and backup systemsAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutantslandlocked3,336,100 (July 2001 est.) 23.23% (male 394,194; female 380,911) 67.04% (male 1,094,646; female 1,141,760) 9.73% (male 135,477; female 189,112) (2001 est.)-0.21% (2001 est.)11.47 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-3.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)41.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 66.49 years 62.12 years 71.08 years (2001 est.)1.5 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)less than 500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Armenian(s)ArmenianArmenian 93%, Azeri 3%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 2% (1989) note- as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from ArmeniaArmenian Orthodox 94%Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 98% (1989 est.)Republic of ArmeniaArmeniaHayastani Hanrapetut yunHayastanArmenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian RepublicrepublicYerevan10 provinces (marzer, singular - marz) and 1 city* (k aghak ner, singular - k aghak ); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark unik , Kotayk , Lorri, Shirak, Syunik , Tavush, Vayots Dzor, Yerevan*21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 21 September (1991)adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995based on civil law system18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998)Prime Minister Andranik MARKARYAN (since 12 May 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special election last held 30 March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2003); prime minister appointed by the president Robert KOCHARIAN elected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 59.5%, Karen DEMIRCHYAN 40.5%unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members serve four-year terms) last held 30 May 1999 (next to be held in the spring of 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - unity bloc 61 (Republican Party 41, People s Party of Armenia 20), Stability Group (independent Armenian deputies who have formed a bloc) 21, ACP 10, ARF (Dashnak) 8, Law and Unity Party 7, NDU 6, Law-Governed Party 6, independents 10, unfilled 2; note - seats by party change frequentlySupreme Court; Constitutional CourtArmenia Party [Myasnik ALKHASYAN]; Armenian Communist Party or ACP [Vladimir DARBINYAN]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARYAN]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Azat ARSHAKYN, chairman]; Democratic Liberal Party [Ramkavar AZATAKAN, chairman]; Free Armenian s Mission [Ruben MNATSANIAN, chairman]; Law and Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; Law-Governed Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Mission Party [Artush PAPOIAN, chairman]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National State Party [Samvel SHAGINIAN]; Pan-Armenian National Movement or PANM [Vano SIRADEGHYAN]; People s Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Shamiram Women s Movement or SWM [Gayane SARUKHYAN]; Social Democratic (Hnchakian) Party [Ernst SOGOMONYAN]; Stability Group [Vartan AYVAZIAN, chairman]; Union of National Self-Determination or NSDU [Paruir HAIRIKIAN, chairman]; Unity Bloc [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN and Andranik MARKARYAN] (a coalition of the Republican Party and People s Party of Armenia)NABSEC, CCC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Arman KIRAKOSIAN 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 319-1976 [1] (202) 319-2982 Los Angeles Ambassador Michael C. LEMMON 18 Marshal Bagramian Avenue, Yerevan American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7020 [374] (2) 52-16-11 [374] (2) 151-550three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange Armenia EconomyUnder the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2000. Armenia also managed to slash inflation and to privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in recent years have been largely offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia s severe trade imbalance, importing three times its exports, has been offset somewhat by international aid, domestic restructuring of the economy, and foreign direct investment.purchasing power parity - $10 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2000 est.)40%25%35% (1999 est.)45% (1999 est.)NA%NA%1% (1999 est.)1.5 million (1999)agriculture 55%, services 25%, industry 20% (1999 est.)20% (1998 est.) note- official rate is 9.3% for 1998$360 million$566 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, gem cutting, jewelry manufacturing, software development, brandy5% (2000 est.)6.668 billion kWh (1999)45.56%23.25%31.19% 0% (1999)6.201 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock$284 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)diamonds, scrap metal, machinery and equipment, brandy, copper oreBelgium 36%, Iran 15%, Russia 14%, US 7%, Turkmenistan, Georgia (1999)$913 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamondsRussia 17%, US 11%, Belgium 11%, Iran 10%, UK, Turkey (1999)$836 million (January 2001)$245.5 million (1995)dram (AMD)AMDdrams per US dollar - 554.29 (1 February 2001), 539.53 (2000), 535.06 (1999), 504.92 (1998), 490.85 (1997), 414.04 (1996)calendar year Armenia Communications568,000 (1997)6,220 (1997) system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service) 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 and through the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1 IntelsatAM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)850,000 (1997)4 (1998)825,000 (1997).am1 (1999)30,000 (2000)852 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge- 852 km 1.520-m gauge (779 km electrified) (2001)8,431 km ()NANA (1997)NA kmnatural gas 900 km (1991)none7 (2000 est.) 7 1 2 3 1 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force and Air Defense Aviation, Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 905,154 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 715,734 (2001 est.)males- 34,998 (2001 est.)$75 million (FY99)4% (FY99)international- Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsidedillicit cultivator of cannabis mostly for domestic consumption; increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - to Western Europe and the US via Iran, Central Asia, and RussiaArubaDiscovered 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.Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela12 30 N, 69 58 WCentral America and the Caribbean193 sq km193 sq km0 sq kmslightly larger than Washington, DC0 km68.5 km12 NMtropical marine; little seasonal temperature variationflat with a few hills; scant vegetationCaribbean Sea 0 mMount Jamanota 188 mNEGL; white sandy beaches7% (including aloe 0.01%)0%0%0%93% (1993 est.)0.01 sq kmlies outside the Caribbean hurricane beltNA70,007 (July 2001 est.) 21.29% (male 7,709; female 7,193) 68.52% (male 23,111; female 24,859) 10.19% (male 2,954; female 4,181) (2001 est.)0.64% (2001 est.)12.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)NEGL 1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.52 years 75.16 years 82.04 years (2001 est.)1.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAAruban(s)Aruban; Dutchmixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, JewishDutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish NA 97% NA% NA%noneArubapart 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 affairsparliamentary democracyOranjestadnone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)Flag Day, 18 March1 January 1986based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence18 years of age; universalQueen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)Prime Minister Jan (Henny) H. EMAN (since 29 July 1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Lili BEKE-MARTINEZCouncil of Ministers (elected by the Staten) 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 12 July 1997 (next to be held by December 2001) Jan (Henny) H. EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Lili BEKE-MARTINEZ elected deputy prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held by NA December 2001) percent of vote by party - AVP 43%, MEP 39%, OLA 9% PPA 4%, ADN 2%, PARA 1%, MAS 0.5%; seats by party - AVP 10, MEP 9, OLA 2Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People s Party or AVP [Tico CROES]; Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [leader NA]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]NACaricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate) Consul General Barbara J. STEPHENSON J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao [599] (9) 461-3066 [599] (9) 461-6489blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner Aruba EconomyTourism is the mainstay of the Aruban economy, although offshore banking and oil refining and storage are also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country s oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba s small labor force and less than 1% unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years.purchasing power parity - $2 billion (2000 est.)3.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%4.2% (2000 est.)41,501 (1997 est.)most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining0.6% (1999 est.)$NA$541 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refiningNA%450 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)418.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)aloes; livestock; fish$2.2 billion (including oil reexports) (2000 est.)live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipmentUS 42%, Colombia 20%, Netherlands 12% (1999)$2.5 billion (2000 est.)machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffsUS 63%, Netherlands 11%, Netherlands Antilles 3%, Japan (1999)$285 million (1996)$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)AWGAruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986)calendar year Aruba Communications33,000 (1997)3,402 (1997) NA more than adequate 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay linksAM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)50,000 (1997)1 (1997)20,000 (1997).awNA4,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km800 km513 km287 km note- most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)noneBarcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,120 GRT/3,635 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlandsinternational- nonedrug-money-laundering center and transit point for narcotics bound for the US and EuropeAshmore and Cartier IslandsThese 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. Recent geological explorations have indicated promising petroleum formations.Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia12 14 S, 123 05 ESoutheast Asia5 sq km5 sq km0 sq km note- includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Islandabout eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km74.1 km12 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMtropicallow with sand and coralIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location 3 mfish0%0%0%0%100% (all grass and sand)0 sq km (1993)surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazardsNAAshmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983no indigenous inhabitants note- there are only seasonal caretakers (July 2001 est.)Territory of Ashmore and Cartier IslandsAshmore and Cartier Islandsterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territoriesthe laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, applythe flag of Australia is used Ashmore and Cartier Islands Economyno economic activitynonenone; offshore anchorage only Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Forceinternational- noneAtlantic OceanThe 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 St. 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.body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere0 00 N, 25 00 WWorld76.762 million sq km note- includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodiesslightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US111,866 kmtropical 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 Novembersurface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basinMilwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 msea level 0 moil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stonesicebergs 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)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 Seamajor 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 Atlantic Ocean EconomyThe 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, the dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).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 USinternational- some maritime disputes (see littoral states)AustraliaAustralia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia s status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to an independent republic, was defeated in 1999.Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean27 00 S, 133 00 EOceania7,686,850 sq km7,617,930 sq km68,920 sq km note- includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Islandslightly smaller than the contiguous 48 states of the US0 km25,760 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMgenerally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in northmostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeastLake Eyre -15 mMount Kosciuszko 2,229 mbauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum6%0%54%19%21% (1993 est.)21,070 sq km (1993 est.)cyclones along the coast; severe droughtssoil 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 resourcesAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolworld s smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer19,357,594 (July 2001 est.) 20.64% (male 2,045,892; female 1,948,949) 66.86% (male 6,538,096; female 6,405,014) 12.5% (male 1,059,107; female 1,360,536) (2001 est.)0.99% (2001 est.)12.86 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.87 years 77.02 years 82.87 years (2001 est.)1.77 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.15% (1999 est.)14,000 (1999 est.)100 (1999 est.)Australian(s)AustralianCaucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%English, native languages age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (1980 est.)Commonwealth of AustraliaAustraliademocratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereignCanberra6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Dependent areas- Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)Australia Day, 26 January (1788)9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universal and compulsoryQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Rev. Peter HOLLINGSWORTH (since 29 June 2001)Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON (since NA)Cabinet selected from among the members of Federal Parliament by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term note- government coalition - Liberal Party and National Partybicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (148 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives) Senate - last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held by October 2001); House of Representatives - last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held by October 2001) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian Labor Party 29, Australian Democratic Party 9, Green Party 1, One Nation Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 80, Australian Labor Party 67, independent 1High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general)Australian Democratic Party [Meg LEES]; Australian Labor Party [Kim BEAZLEY]; Green Party [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; National Party [John ANDERSON]; One Nation Party [Pauline HANSON]Australian Democratic Labor Party (anti-Communist Labor Party splinter group); Peace and Nuclear Disarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament Party splinter group)ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Michael THAWLEY 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 797-3000 [1] (202) 797-3168 Atlanta, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Edward W. GNEHM, Jr. Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 APO AP 96549 [61] (02) 6214-5600 [61] (02) 6214-5970 Sydney consulate(s)- Melbourne and Perthblue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars Australia EconomyAustralia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP at the level of the four dominant West European economies. Rich in natural resources, Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. Commodities account for 57% of the value of total exports, so that a downturn in world commodity prices can have a big impact on the economy. The government is pushing for increased exports of manufactured goods, but competition in international markets continues to be severe. While Australia has suffered from the low growth and high unemployment characterizing the OECD countries in the early 1990s and during the recent financial problems in East Asia, the economy has expanded at a solid 4% annual growth pace in the last five years. Canberra s emphasis on reforms is a key factor behind the economy s resilience to the regional crisis and its stronger than expected growth rate. Growth in 2001 will depend on key international commodity prices, the extent of recovery in nearby Asian economies, and the strength of US and European markets.purchasing power parity - $445.8 billion (2000 est.)4.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2000 est.)3%26%71% (1999 est.)NA%2%25.4% (1994)1.4% (2000 est.)9.5 million (December 1999)services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)6.4% (2000)$94 billion$103 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel1.5% (1999 est.)191.727 billion kWh (1999)89.93%8.36%0% 1.71% (1999)178.306 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry$69 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipmentJapan 19%, EU 14%, ASEAN 12%, US 9%, South Korea, NZ, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China (1999)$77 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum productsEU 24%, US 22%, Japan 14%, ASEAN 13% (1999)$220.6 billion (2000) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.43 billion (FY97/98)Australian dollar (AUD)AUDAustralian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)1 July - 30 June Australia Communications9.58 million (1998)6.4 million (1998) excellent domestic and international service domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998)AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)25.5 million (1997)104 (1997)10.15 million (1997).au264 (2000)7.77 million (2000)33,819 km (2,540 km electrified) broad gauge- 3,719 km 1.600-m gauge15,422 km 1.435-m gauge14,506 km 1.067-m gauge dual gauge- 172 km NA gauges (1999)913,000 km353,331 km (including 1,363 km of expressways)559,669 km (1996)8,368 km (mainly used by small, shallow-draft craft)crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural gas 5,600 kmAdelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,558,371 GRT/2,038,776 DWTbulk 26, cargo 3, chemical tanker 5, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 6 (2000 est.)411 (2000 est.) 271 10 12 118 122 9 (2000 est.) 140 17 112 11 (2000 est.)Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force17 years of agemales age 15-49- 4,990,107 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 4,303,966 (2001 est.)males- 138,971 (2001 est.)$6.9 billion (FY98/99)1.9% (FY98/99)international- territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Territory)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 concentrateAustriaOnce 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, Austria s 1955 State Treaty declared the country "permanently neutral" as a condition of Soviet military withdrawal. Neutrality, once ingrained as part of the Austrian cultural identity, has been called into question since the Soviet collapse of 1991 and Austria s increasingly prominent role in European affairs. A prosperous country, Austria joined the European Union in 1995 and the euro monetary system in 1999.Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia47 20 N, 13 20 EEurope83,858 sq km82,738 sq km1,120 sq kmslightly smaller than Mainetotal- 2,562 kmCzech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showersin the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently slopingNeusiedler See 115 mGrossglockner 3,798 miron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower17%1%23%39%20% (1996 est.)457 sq km (1995 est.)NAsome 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 EuropeAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollandlocked; 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 elsewhere8,150,835 (July 2001 est.) 16.57% (male 691,925; female 658,375) 68.05% (male 2,802,019; female 2,744,536) 15.38% (male 478,498; female 775,482) (2001 est.)0.24% (2001 est.)9.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.62 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.84 years 74.68 years 81.15 years (2001 est.)1.39 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.23% (1999 est.)9,000 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Austrian(s)AustrianGerman 98%, Croatian, Slovene, other (includes Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma)Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17%German age 15 and over can read and write 98% NA% NA%Republic of AustriaAustriaRepublik OesterreichOesterreichfederal republicVienna9 states (bundeslaender, singular - bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien1156 (from Bavaria)National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction19 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential electionsnone (landlocked)President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992)Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4 February 2000); Vice Chancellor Susanne RIESS-PASSER (FPOe) (since 4 February 2000)Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term; presidential election last held 19 April 1998 (next to be held in the spring of 2004); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from the plurality party in the National Council; in the case of the current coalition, the chancellor was chosen from another party after the plurality party failed to form a government; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor Thomas KLESTIL reelected president; percent of vote - Thomas KLESTIL 63%, Gertraud KNOLL 14%, Heide SCHMIDT 11%, Richard LUGNER 10%, Karl NOWAK 2% note- government coalition - OeVP and FPOebicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (64 members; members represent each of the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at least three representatives; members serve a four- or six-year term) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) National Council - last held 3 October 1999 (next to be held in the fall of 2003) National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe 33.2%, OeVP 26.9%, FPOe 26.9%, Greens 7.4%; seats by party - SPOe 65, OeVP 52, FPOe 52, Greens 14Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or VerfassungsgerichtshofAustrian People s Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Susanne RIESS-PASSER]; Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens Alternative or GA [Alexander VAN DER BELLEN]Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber; OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People s Party or OeVP representing business, labor, and farmersAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Peter MOSER 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 [1] (202) 895-6700 [1] (202) 895-6750 Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador Kathryn Walt HALL Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna use embassy street address [43] (1) 313-39-2060 [43] (1) 313-39-2057three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Austria EconomyAustria with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany s. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria s access to the single European market and proximity to EU aspirant economies. In 2000, Austria moved to further cut government spending and raise taxes to meet EMU deficit targets after facing unexpected difficulties in reducing the public deficit. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the economy and continue to deregulate the service sector. Growth is expected to remain at about 3% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $203 billion (2000 est.)3.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2000 est.)2.2%30.4%67.4% (1999 est.)NA%2% (2000 est.)3.7 million (1999)services 68%, industry and crafts 29%, agriculture and forestry 3% (1999 est.)5.4% (2000 est.)$56.3 billion$60.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism4.2% (2000)59.283 billion kWh (1999)29.53%67.65%0% 2.82% (1999)53.231 billion kWh (1999)13.507 billion kWh (1999)11.605 billion kWh (1999)grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber$63.2 billion (2000 est.)machinery and equipment, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles, foodstuffsEU 64.2% (Germany 35.7%, Italy 8.7%, France 4.5%), Switzerland 5.9%, US 4.5%, Hungary 3.9% (1999)$65.6 billion (2000 est.)machinery and equipment, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffsEU 70.3% (Germany 42.5%, Italy 7.9%, France 5.3%), US 5.4%, Switzerland 3.0%, Hungary 2.8% (1999)$16 billion (1999) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $472 million (1999)Austrian schilling (ATS); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Austria at a fixed rate of 13.7603 Austrian shillings per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002ATS; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Austrian schillings per US dollar - 11.86 (January 1999), 12.91 (1999), 12.379 (1998), 12.204 (1997), 10.587 (1996)calendar year Austria Communications4 million (3,600,000 analog main lines plus 400,000 ISDN or Integrated Services Digital Network connections) (1999)4.5 million (2000) highly developed and efficient there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons and the system is nearly 100% digital; the fiber optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet services are available satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 2 Eutelsat (1999)AM 1, FM 61 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)6.08 million (1997)45 (plus 960 repeaters) (1995)4.25 million (1997).at37 (2000)2.6 million (2000)6,095.2 km (3,643.3 km electrified)5,564.2 km 1.435-m gauge (3,521.2 km electrified)497.1 km (33.9 km 1.000-m gauge - 28.1 km electrified, 497.1 km 0.760-m gauge - 94 km electrified) (2001)133,361 km133,361 km (including 1,613 km of expressways)0 km (1998)358 km (1999)crude oil 777 km; natural gas 840 km (1999)Linz, Vienna, Enns, Krems23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 86,905 GRT/117,417 DWTbulk 1, cargo 18, combination bulk 2, container 2 (2000 est.)55 (2000 est.) 24 1 5 1 3 14 (2000 est.) 31 1 3 27 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army (includes Flying Division)19 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,091,263 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,731,383 (2001 est.)males- 50,580 (2001 est.)$1.7 billion (FY98)1.2% (FY98)international- minor disputes with Czech Republic and Slovenia over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minoritiestransshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western EuropeAzerbaijanAzerbaijan - a nation of Turkic Muslims - has been an independent republic since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a cease-fire, in place since 1994, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost almost 20% of its territory and must support some 750,000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan s undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia40 30 N, 47 30 ECommonwealth of Independent States86,600 sq km86,100 sq km500 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 1991slightly smaller than Mainetotal- 2,013 kmArmenia (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 km0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)none (landlocked)dry, semiarid steppelarge, 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 SeaCaspian Sea -28 mBazarduzu Dagi 4,485 mpetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina18%5%25%11%41% (1993 est.)10,000 sq km (1993 est.)droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising levels of the Caspian Sealocal 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, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the production of cottonBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementslandlocked7,771,092 (July 2001 est.) 28.95% (male 1,146,315; female 1,103,393) 63.93% (male 2,415,678; female 2,552,759) 7.12% (male 219,549; female 333,398) (2001 est.)0.32% (2001 est.)18.44 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.55 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-5.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)83.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 62.96 years 58.65 years 67.49 years (2001 est.)2.24 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Azerbaijani(s)AzerbaijaniAzeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.) note- almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh regionMuslim 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 lowerAzerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) age 15 and over can read and write 97% 99% 96% (1989 est.)Republic of AzerbaijanAzerbaijanAzarbaycan RespublikasinoneAzerbaijan Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicBaku (Baki)59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)adopted 12 November 1995based on civil law system18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Heydar ALIYEV (since 18 June 1993)Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 26 November 1996)Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 11 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly Heydar ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Heydar ALIYEV 77.6%, Etibar MAMEDOV 11.8%, Nizami SULEYMANOV 8.2%unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NAP and allies 108, APF 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF "traditionalist" 1, Compatriot Party 1Supreme CourtAlliance for Azerbaijan Party [Abutalyb SAMADOV]; Azerbaijani Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALAL]; Azerbaijani Independent Democratic Party or AMDP [Leyla YUNUSOVA]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KERIMOV, leader of "reform faction"; Mirmahmud FATTAYEV, leader of "traditionalist" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA-2 [Firudin HASANOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Enlightenment Party [Mammadhanifu MUSAYEV]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Ilyus ISMAILOV and Rasul QULIYEV, co-chairman]; Democratic World Party of Azerbaijan [Mamnad ALIZADE]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shvkat HAJIYEVA]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; National Congress Party of Azerbaijan [Ihtiyar SHIRIN]; National Movement Party [Samir JAFAROV]; National Statehood Party [Sabir TARIVERDIYEV]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [Heydar ALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADOV, chairman]; People s Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or PDPA [Rafig TURABKHANOGLU]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardusht ALIZADE, chairman] note- opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new partiesSadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movementAsDB, BSEC, CCC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 or P. O. Box 28790, Washington, DC 20038-8790 [1] (202) 842-0001 [1] (202) 842-0004 Ambassador Ross WILSON Azadliq Prospekt 83, Baku 370007 American Embassy Baku, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7050 [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 [9] (9412) 90-66-71three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band Azerbaijan EconomyAzerbaijan s most prominent products are oil, cotton, and natural gas. Azerbaijan s oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of 19 production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to oil field 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. 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 long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. An obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign investment, is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building up with Turkey, Iran, UAE, and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan s ability to manage its oil wealth.purchasing power parity - $23.5 billion (2000 est.)11.4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2000 est.)22%33%45% (1999 est.)60% (2000 est.)NA%NA%1.8% (2000 est.)2.9 million (1997)agriculture and forestry 32%, industry 15%, services 53% (1997)20% (1999 est.)$777 million$995 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles6.9% (2000 est.)16.378 billion kWh (1999)86.46%13.54%0% 0% (1999)15.432 billion kWh (1999)600 million kWh (1999)800 million kWh (1999)cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats$1.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)oil and gas 75%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffsItaly, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iran$1.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, metals, chemicalsRussia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, Iran$1 billion (2000)ODA, $113 million (1996)Azerbaijani manat (AZM)AZMAzerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,579 (1 February 2001), 4,342 (October 1999), 4,373 (1999), 3,869 (1998), 3,985.38 (1997), 4,301.26 (1996)calendar year Azerbaijan Communications663,000 (1997)40,000 (1997) inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 8.6 main lines per 100 persons is very low the majority of telephones are in Baku and other industrial centers - about 700 villages still do not have public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997)AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)175,000 (1997)2 (1997)170,000 (1997).az2 (2000)8,000 (2000)2,125 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge- 2,125 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (1993)24,981 km23,057 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)1,924 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1998)nonecrude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas 1,240 kmBaku (Baki)56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 253,882 GRT/313,252 DWTbulk 1, cargo 12, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)52 (2000 est.) 9 5 4 (2000 est.) 43 7 8 28 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,102,780 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,684,673 (2001 est.)males- 77,099 (2001 est.)$121 million (FY99)2.6% (FY99)international- Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistanlimited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for opiates via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia to Western EuropeBahamas, TheSince 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 its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida24 15 N, 76 00 WCentral America and the Caribbean13,940 sq km10,070 sq km3,870 sq kmslightly smaller than Connecticut0 km3,542 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Streamlong, flat coral formations with some low rounded hillsAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 msalt, aragonite, timber, arable land1%0%0%32%67% (1993 est.)NA sq kmhurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damagecoral reef decay; solid waste disposalBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsstrategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain297,852 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 29.43% (male 44,179; female 43,486) 64.46% (male 94,329; female 97,674) 6.11% (male 7,618; female 10,566) (2001 est.)0.93% (2001 est.)19.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.14 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)17.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 70.46 years 67.27 years 73.71 years (2001 est.)2.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)4.13% (1999 est.)6,900 (1999 est.)500 (1999 est.)Bahamian(s)Bahamianblack 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants) age 15 and over can read and write 98.2% 98.5% 98% (1995 est.)Commonwealth of The BahamasThe Bahamasconstitutional parliamentary democracyNassau21 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, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay10 July 1973 (from UK)Independence Day, 10 July (1973)10 July 1973based on English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995)Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since December 1994)Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister s recommendation none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor generalbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 14 March 1997 (next to be held by March 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 5Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courtsFree National Movement or FNM [Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]NAACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Joshua SEARS 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 319-2660 [1] (202) 319-2668 Miami and New York Ambassador-designate J. Richard BLANKENSHIP Queen Street, Nassau local or express mail address- P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; stateside address- American Embassy Nassau, P. O. Box 599009, Miami, FL 33159-9009; pouch address- Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370 [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 [1] (242) 356-0222three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side Bahamas, The EconomyThe Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago s labor force. Moderate growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences led to an increase of the country s GDP by an estimated 3% in 1998, 6% in 1999, and 4.5% in 2000. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute only 10% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run will depend heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued sturdy growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visitors.purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (2000 est.)4.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)3%7%90% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%1.9% (2000 est.)156,000 (1999)tourism 40%, other services 50%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1995 est.)9% (1998 est.)$766 million$845 million, including capital expenditures of $97 million (FY97/98)tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipeNA%1.465 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.362 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)citrus, vegetables; poultry$376.8 million (2000 est.)pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined petroleum productsUS 22.3%, Switzerland 15.6%, UK 15%, Denmark 7.4% (1998)$1.73 billion (2000 est.)foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles, electronicsUS 27.3%, Italy 26.5%, Japan 10%, Denmark 4.2% (1998)$385.8 million (2000 est.)$9.8 million (1995)Bahamian dollar (BSD)BSDBahamian dollars per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar)1 July - 30 June Bahamas, The Communications96,000 (1997)6,152 (1997) modern facilities totally automatic system; highly developed tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)215,000 (1997)1 (1997)67,000 (1997).bs19 (2000)15,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km2,693 km1,546 km1,147 km (1997)noneFreeport, Matthew Town, Nassau1,049 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,000,221 GRT/44,601,471 DWTbulk 185, cargo 214, chemical tanker 36, combination bulk 15, combination ore/oil 22, container 66, liquefied gas 33, livestock carrier 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 79, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 182, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 118, roll on/roll off 50, short-sea passenger 15, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 24 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Algeria 2, Australia 1, Austria 1, Bermuda 6, Belgium 14, Canada 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 2, Denmark 17, Finland 7, France 9, Germany 9, Greece 89, Hong Kong 7, Indonesia 2, India 1, Israel 4, Italy 8, Japan 23, Jamaica 1, Kenya 1, Lebanon 2, Luxembourg 2, Monaco 15, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 16, Norway 139, Poland 3, Portugal 2, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia 5, Singapore 12, Spain 7, Sweden 14, Syria 1, Switzerland 7, UAE 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, UK 67, Ukraine 3, US 50, British Virgin Islands 1, British Virgin Islands 1 (2000 est.)65 (2000 est.) 36 2 2 16 13 3 (2000 est.) 29 6 23 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force$20 million (FY95/96)NA%international- nonetransshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; banking industry vulnerable to money launderingBahrainBahrain 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. Possessing minimal oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining, and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir is pushing economic and political reforms, and has worked to improve relations with the Shi a community. In 2001, the International Court of Justice awarded the Hawar Islands, long disputed with Qatar, to Bahrain.Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia26 00 N, 50 33 EMiddle East620 sq km620 sq km0 sq km3.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km161 km24 NMextending to boundaries to be determined12 NMarid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summersmostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpmentPersian Gulf 0 mJabal ad Dukhan 122 moil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls1%1%6%0%92% (1993 est.)10 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughts; dust stormsdesertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; no natural fresh water resources so that groundwater and sea water are the only sources for all water needsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsclose to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf which much of Western world s petroleum must transit to reach open ocean645,361 note- includes 228,424 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) 29.6% (male 96,697; female 94,330) 67.43% (male 257,360; female 177,839) 2.97% (male 9,721; female 9,414) (2001 est.)1.73% (2001 est.)20.07 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.45 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.29 male(s)/female (2001 est.)19.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.2 years 70.81 years 75.67 years (2001 est.)2.79 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.15% (1999 est.)NANABahraini(s)BahrainiBahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%Shi a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu age 15 and over can read and write 85.2% 89.1% 79.4% (1995 est.)State of BahrainBahrainDawlat al BahraynAl BahraynDilmunconstitutional monarchyManama12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah note- all municipalities administered from Manama15 August 1971 (from UK)National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protectionadopted late December 2000 (new constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)based on Islamic law and English common lawnoneAmir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since NA 1971)Cabinet appointed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarchunicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet; appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992; the National Action Charter created a bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum of 14 February 2001High Civil Appeals Courtpolitical parties prohibitedShi a activists fomented unrest sporadically 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are activeABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant) 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 342-0741 [1] (202) 362-2192 New York Ambassador Johnny YOUNG #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail- American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama [973] 273-300 [973] 272-594red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side Bahrain EconomyIn Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil revenue granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of both oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.purchasing power parity - $10.1 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $15,900 (2000 est.)1%46%53% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2% (2000 est.)295,000 (1998 est.) note- 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.)15% (1998 est.)$1.8 billion$2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism2% (2000 est.)6.185 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)5.752 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish$5.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)petroleum and petroleum products 61%, aluminum 7%India 14%, Saudi Arabia 5%, US 5%, UAE 5%, Japan 4%, South Korea 4% (1999)$4.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)nonoil 59%, crude oil 41%France 20%, US 14%, UK 8%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Japan 5% (1999)$2.7 billion (2000)$48.4 million (1995)Bahraini dinar (BHD)BHDBahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.3760 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)calendar year Bahrain Communications152,000 (1997)58,543 (1997) modern system modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997)AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)338,000 (1997)4 (1997)275,000 (1997).bh1 (2000)37,500 (2000) Railways- 0 km3,164 km2,433 km731 km note- there is a paved causeway connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia (1997)nonecrude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 kmManama, Mina Salman, Sitrah7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 175,609 GRT/207,652 DWTbulk 2, cargo 3, container 2 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force15 years of agemales age 15-49- 222,141 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 121,833 (2001 est.)males- 5,926 (2001 est.)$318 million (FY99)5.2% (FY99)international- in March of 2001, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Hawar Islands to Bahrain and also adjusted Bahrain s maritime boundary with QatarBaker IslandThe US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia0 13 N, 176 31 WOceania1.4 sq km1.4 sq km0 sq kmabout 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km4.8 km200 NM12 NMequatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunlow, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reefPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 8 mguano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1993)the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazardno natural fresh water resourcestreeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlifeuninhabited note- American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2001 est.)noneBaker Islandunincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge systemthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Baker Island Economyno economic activitynonenone; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2000 est.) Transportation - note- there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guardinternational- noneBangladeshBangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country annually floods during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India24 00 N, 90 00 EAsia144,000 sq km133,910 sq km10,090 sq kmslightly smaller than Wisconsintotal- 4,246 kmBurma 193 km, India 4,053 km580 km18 NMup to the outer limits of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeastIndian Ocean 0 mKeokradong 1,230 mnatural gas, arable land, timber, coal73%2%5%15%5% (1993 est.)31,000 sq km (1993 est.)droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon seasonmany people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne 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 overpopulationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsLaw of the Sea131,269,860 (July 2001 est.) 35.04% (male 23,550,607; female 22,451,006) 61.6% (male 41,432,123; female 39,434,633) 3.36% (male 2,389,639; female 2,011,852) (2001 est.)1.59% (2001 est.)25.3 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.19 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)69.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 60.54 years 60.74 years 60.33 years (2001 est.)2.78 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)13,000 (1999 est.)1,000 (1999 est.)Bangladeshi(s)BangladeshiBengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English age 15 and over can read and write 56% 63% 49% (2000 est.)People s Republic of BangladeshBangladeshEast Pakistanparliamentary democracyDhaka5 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi; note - there may be one additional division named Sylhet16 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 BangladeshIndependence 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 Bangladesh4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many timesbased on English common law18 years of age; universalPresident Shahabuddin AHMED (since 9 October 1996); note - the president s duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president s role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the electionsPrime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 13 July 1996)Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 24 July 1996 (next to be held by NA October 2001); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president Shahabuddin AHMED elected president without opposition; percent of National Parliament vote - NA%unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad (330 seats; 300 elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies, 30 seats reserved for women; members serve five-year terms) last held 12 June 1996 (next to be held before 13 October 2001) percent of vote by party - AL 33.87%, BNP 30.87%; seats by party - AL 178, BNP 113, JP 33, JI 3, other 3; note - the elections of 12 June 1996 brought to power an Awami League government for the first time in twenty-one years; held under a neutral, caretaker administration, the elections were characterized by a peaceful, orderly process and massive voter turnout, ending a bitter two-year impasse between the former BNP and opposition parties that had paralyzed National Parliament and led to widespread street violenceSupreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIAur Rahman]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Azizol HAQ]; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]NAAsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador-designate A. Tariq KARIM 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 244-0183 Los Angeles and New York Ambassador Mary Ann PETERS Road 27, House 110, Banani, Dhaka G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 [880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722 [880] (2) 8823744green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam Bangladesh EconomyDespite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world s poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. 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. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Even so, Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA s Awami League government has made some headway improving the climate for foreign investors and liberalizing the capital markets. Progress on other economic reforms has been halting because of opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups.purchasing power parity - $203 billion (2000 est.)5.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,570 (2000 est.)30%18%52% (2000 est.)35.6% (FY95/96 est.)3.9%28.6% (1995-96 est.)5.8% (2000 est.)64.1 million (1998) note- extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99agriculture 63%, services 26%, industry 11% (FY95/96)35.2% (1996)$4.9 billion$6.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar6.1% (2000 est.)12.06 billion kWh (1999)93.7%6.3%0% 0% (1999)11.216 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry$5.9 billion (2000)garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafoodUS 31.2%, Germany 9.95%, UK 8.06%, France 5.82%, Italy 4.42% (1999)$8.1 billion (2000)machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, raw cotton, food, crude oil and petroleum products, cementIndia 12.2%, Singapore 7.8%, Japan 6.7%, China 6.4%, US 5.3% (1999)$17 billion (2000)$1.575 billion (2000 est.)taka (BDT)BDTtaka per US dollar - 54.000 (January 2001), 52.142 (2000), 49.085 (1999), 46.906 (1998), 43.892 (1997), 41.794 (1996)1 July - 30 June Bangladesh Communications500,000 (2000)283,000 (2000) totally inadequate for a modern country modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2000)AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999)6.15 million (1997)15 (1999)770,000 (1997).bd10 (2000)30,000 (2000)2,745 km broad gauge- 923 km 1.676-m gauge1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2000)201,182 km19,112 km182,070 km (1997)up to 8,046 km depending on season note- includes 3,058 km main cargo routesnatural gas 1,250 kmChittagong, Dhaka, Mongla Port, Narayanganj (2001)35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,566 GRT/375,110 DWTbulk 2, cargo 25, container 3, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)18 (2000 est.) 15 2 3 4 1 5 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps), Armed Police battalionsmales age 15-49- 36,005,553 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 21,362,279 (2001 est.)$559 million (FY96/97)1.8% (FY96/97)international- a portion of the boundary with India is indefinite; exchange of 151 enclaves along border with India subject to ratification by Indian parliament; dispute with India over South Talpatty/New Moore Islandtransit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countriesBarbadosThe island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Its economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela13 10 N, 59 32 WCentral America and the Caribbean430 sq km430 sq km0 sq km2.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km97 km200 NM12 NMtropical; rainy season (June to October)relatively flat; rises gently to central highland regionAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Hillaby 336 mpetroleum, fish, natural gas37%0%5%12%46% (1993 est.)NA sq kminfrequent hurricanes; periodic landslidespollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifersClimate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionBiodiversityeasternmost Caribbean island275,330 (July 2001 est.) 21.68% (male 30,122; female 29,572) 69.44% (male 93,283; female 97,915) 8.88% (male 9,432; female 15,006) (2001 est.)0.46% (2001 est.)13.47 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.53 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.01 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)12.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.25 years 70.66 years 75.86 years (2001 est.)1.64 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.17% (1999 est.)1,800 (1999 est.)130 (1999 est.)Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)black 80%, white 4%, other 16%Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%English age 15 and over has ever attended school 97.4% 98% 96.8% (1995 est.)noneBarbadosparliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the CommonwealthBridgetown11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status30 November 1966 (from UK)Independence Day, 30 November (1966)30 November 1966English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996)Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Billie MILLER (since 6 September 1994)Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister appointed by the governor generalbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) House of Assembly - last held 20 January 1999 (next to be held by January 2004) House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BLP 26, DLP 2Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services)Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David THOMPSON]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Richard HAYNES]Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People s Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker s Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Michael KING 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-9200 [1] (202) 332-7467 Miami and New York consulate(s)- Los Angeles Ambassador James A. DALEY Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055 [1] (246) 436-4950 [1] (246) 429-5246three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) Barbados EconomyHistorically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. The start of the Port Charles Marina project in Speightstown helped the tourism industry continue to expand in 1996-2000. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, encourage direct foreign investment, and privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. Growth should remain steady in 2001, with new tourist facilities a plus factor.purchasing power parity - $4 billion (2000 est.)2.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2000 est.)4%16%80% (1998)NA%NA%NA%2% (2000 est.)136,000 (1998 est.)services 75%, industry 15%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.)11% (1999 est.)$725.5 million$750.6 million, including capital expenditures of $126.3 million (FY97/98 est.)tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export0.8% (1996)718 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)667.7 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, vegetables, cotton$260 million (2000 est.)sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components, clothingUK 14.8%, US 11.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 7.6%, Venezuela 6.1%, Jamaica 5.8% (1998)$800.3 million (2000 est.)consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical componentsUS 30.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 10.2%, Japan 8.3%, UK 7.7%, Canada 2.2% (1998)$425 million (2000 est.)$9.1 million (1995)Barbadian dollar (BBD)BBDBarbadian dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)1 April - 31 March Barbados Communications108,000 (1997)8,013 (1997) NA island-wide automatic telephone system satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint LuciaAM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)237,000 (1997)1 (plus two cable channels) (1997)76,000 (1997).bb19 (2000)6,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,600 km1,578 km22 km (1998)noneBridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina)47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 671,545 GRT/1,125,635 DWTbulk 10, cargo 28, combination bulk 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Canada 2, Hong Kong 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Barbados Defense Force (includes Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Forcemales age 15-49- 78,069 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 53,576 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- noneone of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the USBassas da IndiaThis atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique21 30 S, 39 50 EAfrica0.2 sq km0.2 sq km0 sq kmabout one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km35.2 km200 NM12 NMtropicalvolcanic rockIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location 2.4 mnone0%0%0%0%100% (all rock)0 sq km (1993)maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclonesNAuninhabited (July 2001 est.)noneBassas da Indiapossession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunionthe laws of France, where applicable, applythe flag of France is used Bassas da India Economyno economic activitynonenone; offshore anchorage only Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- claimed by MadagascarBelarusAfter 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 but, to date, neither side has actively sought to implement the accord.Eastern Europe, east of Poland53 00 N, 28 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States207,600 sq km207,600 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Kansastotal- 3,098 kmLatvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritimegenerally flat and contains much marshlandNyoman River 90 mDzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 mforests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas29%1%15%34%21% (1993 est.)1,000 sq km (1993 est.)NAsoil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl in northern UkraineAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsLaw of the Sealandlocked10,350,194 (July 2001 est.) 17.93% (male 947,820; female 908,210) 68.21% (male 3,428,920; female 3,631,290) 13.86% (male 473,992; female 959,962) (2001 est.)-0.15% (2001 est.)9.57 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.97 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.49 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.14 years 62.06 years 74.52 years (2001 est.)1.28 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.28% (1999 est.)14,000 (1999 est.)400 (1999 est.)Belarusian(s)BelarusianByelorussian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish, Ukrainian, and other 7.4%Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)Byelorussian, Russian, other age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99% 97% (1989 est.)Republic of BelarusBelarusRespublika Byelarus noneBelorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicMinsk6 voblastsi (singular - voblasts ) and one municipality* (harady, singular - horad); Brestskaya (Brest), Homyel skaya (Homyel ), Horad Minsk*, Hrodzyenskaya (Hrodna), Mahilyowskaya (Mahilyow), Minskaya, Vitsyebskaya (Vitsyebsk); note - when using a place name with the adjectival ending skaya the word voblasts should be added to the place name note- voblasti have the administrative center name following in parentheses25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)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 Union30 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996based on civil law system18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994)Prime Minister Vladimir YERMOSHIN (since 18 February 2000); First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey KOBYAKOV (since 13 March 2000); Deputy Prime Ministers Mikhail DEMCHUK (since 14 July 2000), Mikhail KHORSTOV (since 27 November 2000), Valeriy KOKOREV (since 23 August 1994), Leonid KOZIK (since 4 February 1997), Gennadiy NOVITSKIY (since 11 February 1997), Aleksandr POPKOV (since 10 November 1998)Council of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994 (next to be held NA; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via the November 1996 referendum); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Aleksandr LUKASHENKO elected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 85%, Vyacheslav KEBICH 15%bicameral Parliament or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Pretsaviteley (110 seats) last held October 2000 (next to be held NA) party affiliation data unavailable; under present political conditions party designations are meaninglessSupreme 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)Agrarian Party or AP [Semyon SHARETSKY, chairman]; Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [Viktor CHIKIN, chairman]; Belarusian Ecological Green Party (merger of Belarusian Ecological Party and Green Party of Belarus) [leader NA]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatoliy BARANKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Popular Front or BNF [Vintsuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democrat or SDBP [Nikolay STATKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Hromada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH, chairman]; Belarusian Socialist Party [Vyacheslav KUZNETSOV]; Civic Accord Bloc (United Civic Party) or CAB [Stanislav BOGDANKEVICH, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDPB [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH, chairman]; Party of Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN, chairman]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice or RPPS [Anatoliy NETYLKIN, chairman]; Social-Democrat Party of Popular Accord or PPA [Leanid SECHKA]; Women s Party Nadezhda [Valentina POLEVIKOVA, chairperson]NACCC, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Valeriy TSEPAKLO 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 986-1604 [1] (202) 986-1805 New York Ambassador Michael KOZAK 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002 use embassy street address [375] (17) 210-12-83 [375] (17) 234-7853red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears the Belarusian national ornament in red Belarus EconomyBelarus 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 enterprise. In addition to the burdens imposed by extremely high inflation, businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, and retroactive application of new business regulations prohibiting practices that had been legal. Further economic problems are two consecutive bad harvests, 1998-99, and persistent trade deficits. Close relations with Russia, possibly leading to reunion, color the pattern of economic developments. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from the West and its open-market economies.purchasing power parity - $78.8 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,500 (2000 est.)13%46%41% (1999 est.)22% (1995 est.)4.9%19.4% (1993)200% (2000 est.)4.8 million (2000)industry and construction NA%, agriculture and forestry NA%, services NA%2.1% officially registered unemployed (December 2000); large number of underemployed workers$4 billion$4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1997 est.)metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earth movers, motorcycles, television sets, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators5% (2000 est.)24.911 billion kWh (1999)99.9%0.1%0% 0% (1999)27.647 billion kWh (1999)2.62 billion kWh (1999)7.1 billion kWh (1999)grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk$7.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffsRussia 66%, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Lithuania (1998)$8.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000)mineral products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, foodstuffsRussia 54%, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Lithuania (1998)$1 billion (2000 est.)$194.3 million (1995)Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR)BYB/BYRBelarusian rubles per US dollar - 1,180 (yearend 2000), 730,000 (15 December 1999), 139,000 (25 January 1999), 46,080 (second quarter 1998), 25,964 (1997), 15,500 (yearend 1996); note - on 1 January 2000, the national currency was redenominated at one new ruble to 2,000 old rublescalendar year Belarus Communications2.313 million (1997)8,167 (1997) the Ministry of Telecommunications controls all telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock company) Beltelcom which is a monopoly local - Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long; local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity - Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus s fiber optics form synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational 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); three 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 stationsAM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998)3.02 million (1997)47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995)2.52 million (1997).by4 (2000)10,000 (2000)5,523 km broad gauge- 5,523 km 1.520-m gauge (875 km electrified) (2000)63,355 km60,567 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)2,788 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1998)NA km; note - Belarus has extensive and widely used canal and river systemscrude oil 1,470 km; refined products 1,100 km; natural gas 1,980 km (1992)Mazyr136 (2000 est.) 33 2 19 1 11 (2000 est.) 103 3 10 11 14 65 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,729,956 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,138,743 (2001 est.)males- 86,396 (2001 est.)$156 million (FY98)1.2% (FY98)international- nonelimited 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 EuropeBelgiumBelgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has 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.Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands50 50 N, 4 00 EEurope30,510 sq km30,230 sq km280 sq kmabout the size of Marylandtotal- 1,385 kmFrance 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km66 kmmedian line with neighbors exclusive fishing zone- median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)12 NMtemperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudyflat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeastNorth Sea 0 mSignal de Botrange 694 mcoal, natural gas24%1%20%21%34%NA sq kmflooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikesthe environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities- urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have impeded progress in tackling environmental challengesAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolcrossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO10,258,762 (July 2001 est.) 17.48% (male 916,957; female 876,029) 65.57% (male 3,390,145; female 3,336,908) 16.95% (male 709,212; female 1,029,511) (2001 est.)0.16% (2001 est.)10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.96 years 74.63 years 81.46 years (2001 est.)1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.15% (1999 est.)7,700 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Belgian(s)BelgianFleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) age 15 and over can read and write 98% NA% NA%Kingdom of BelgiumBelgiumRoyaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk BelgieBelgique/Belgiefederal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchBrussels10 provinces (French- provinces, singular - province; Flemish- provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams Brabant, West-Vlaanderen; note - the Brussels Capitol Region is not included within the 10 provinces21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands)Independence Day, 21 July (1831)7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal statecivil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universal and compulsoryKing ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarchPrime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch and then approved by Parliament note- government coalition - VLD, PRL, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLObicameral 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) Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held in NA 2003) Senate - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, CVP 14.7%, PRL 10.6%, PS 9.7%, VB 9.4%, SP 8.9%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.1%, PSC 6.0%, VU 5.1%; seats by party - VLD 11, CVP 10, PS 10, PRL 9, VB 6, SP 6, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, PSC 5, VU 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 14.3%, CVP 14.1%, PS 10.2%, PRL 10.1%, VB 9.9%, SP 9.5%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.0%, PSC 5.9%, VU 5.6%; seats by party - VLD 23, CVP 22, PS 19, PRL 18, VB 15, SP 14, ECOLO 11, PSC 10, AGALEV 9, VU 8, 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; for other acronyms of the listed parties see Political parties and leadersSupreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dos GEYSELS]; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president]; Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP (Christian People s Party) [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, president]; Flemish Socialist Party or SP [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Joelle MILQUET, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Daniel DUCARME, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO, president]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; Volksunie or VU [leader vacant]; other minor partiesChristian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrantsACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Alexis REYN 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-6900 [1] (202) 333-3079 Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador (vacant) 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 [32] (2) 508-2111 [32] (2) 511-2725three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France Belgium EconomyThis 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, although the government is encouraging investment in the southern region of Wallonia. 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. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Belgium s public debt is expected to fall below 100% of GDP in 2002, and the government has succeeded in balancing is budget. Belgium became a charter member of the European Monetary Union (EMU) in January 1999. Economic growth in 2000 was broad based, putting the government in a good position to pursue its energy market liberalization policies and planned tax cuts.purchasing power parity - $259.2 billion (2000 est.)4.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2000 est.)1.4%26%72.6% (2000 est.)4%3.7%20.2% (1992)2.2% (2000 est.)4.34 million (1999)services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)8.4% (2000 est.)$114.8 billion$117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal5.5% (2000 est.)79.829 billion kWh (1999)40.01%0.42%58.33% 1.24% (1999)75.089 billion kWh (1999)8.207 billion kWh (1999)9.055 billion kWh (1999)sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk$181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal productsEU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999)$166 billion (c.i.f., 2000)machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal productsEU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999)$28.3 billion (1999 est.) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $764 million (1997)Belgian franc (BEF); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Belgium at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Belgian francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002BEF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996)calendar year Belgium Communications4.769 million (1997)974,494 (1997) highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 EutelsatFM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)8.075 million (1997)25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)4.72 million (1997).be61 (2000)2.7 million (2000)3,437 km (2,446 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)3,437 km 1.435-m gauge (1998)145,774 km116,182 km (including 1,674 km of expressways)29,592 km (1999)2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 kmAntwerp (one of the world s busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 32,912 GRT/53,161 DWTcargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 6 (2000 est.)42 (2000 est.) 24 6 8 3 1 6 (2000 est.) 18 2 16 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service19 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,517,596 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,079,624 (2001 est.)males- 63,247 (2001 est.)$2.5 billion (FY01)1.2% (FY99)international- nonegrowing producer of synthetic drugs; 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 EuropeBeninDahomey gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 the country was a socialist state; free elections were reestablished in 1991.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo9 30 N, 2 15 EAfrica112,620 sq km110,620 sq km2,000 sq kmslightly smaller than Pennsylvaniatotal- 1,989 kmBurkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km121 km200 NMtropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in northmostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountainsAtlantic Ocean 0 mMont Sokbaro 658 msmall offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber13%4%4%31%48% (1993 est.)100 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winterinadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsno natural harbors6,590,782 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 47.32% (male 1,574,124; female 1,544,741) 50.38% (male 1,607,900; female 1,712,360) 2.3% (male 64,756; female 86,901) (2001 est.)2.97% (2001 est.)44.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.51 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)89.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 49.94 years 49.02 years 50.88 years (2001 est.)6.23 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.45% (1999 est.)70,000 (1999 est.)5,600 (1999 est.)Beninese (singular and plural)BenineseAfrican 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) age 15 and over can read and write 37.5% 52.2% 23.6% (2000)Republic of BeninBeninRepublique du BeninBeninDahomeyrepublic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou; note - six additional provinces have been reported but not confirmed; they are Alibori, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, and Plateau; moreover, the term "province" may have been changed to "department"1 August 1960 (from France)National Day, 1 August (1960)December 1990based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9% note- the four top-ranking contenders following the first round presidential elections were- Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match"unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 30 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RB 27, PRD 11, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 9, MADEP 6, E toile 4, Alliance IPD 4, Car-DUNYA 3, MERCI 2, other 7Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of JusticeAfrican Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Sylvain Adekpedjou AKINDES]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress or UNSP [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Cameleon Alliance or AC [leader NA]; Car-DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; Communist Party of Benin or PCB [Pascal FANTONDJI, first secretary]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Liberal Democrats Rally for National Reconstruction-Vivoten or RDL-Vivoten [Severin ADJOVI]; Movement for Citizens Commitment and Awakening or MERCI [Severin ADJOVI]; New Generation for the Republic or NGR [Paul DOSSOU]; Our Common Cause or NCC [Francois Odjo TANKPINON]; Party Democratique du Benin or PDB [Col. Soule DANKORO]; Rally for Democracy and Pan-Africanism or RDP [Dominique HOYMINOU, Dr. Giles Auguste MINONTIN]; Renaissance Party du Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for National Democracy and Solidarity or UDS [Adamou N Diaye MAMA] note- the Coalition of Democratic Forces is an alliance of parties and organizations supporting President KEREKOU [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WADB, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-6656 [1] (202) 265-1996 Ambassador Pamela E. BRIDGEWATER Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou B. P. 2012, Cotonou [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92 [229] 30-14-39, 30-19-74two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side Benin EconomyThe economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output averaged a sound 5% in 1996-99, but a rapid population rise offset much of this growth. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part of GDP, are vulnerable to developments in Nigeria, particularly fuel shortages. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation in recent years. While high fuel prices constrained growth in 2000, increased cotton production - enabled by a major restructuring program - and an expansion of the Cotonou port, may lead to increased growth in 2001.purchasing power parity - $6.6 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,030 (2000 est.)37.9%13.5%48.6% (1999)37.2% (1999 est.)NA%NA%3% (2000 est.)NANA%$299 million$445 million, including capital expenditures of $14 million (1995 est.)textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum6.9% (2000 est.)226 million kWh (1999)24.78%75.22%0% 0% (1999)510.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)300 million kWh (1999)corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock$396 million (f.o.b., 1999)cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoaBrazil 14%, Libya 5%, Indonesia 4%, Italy 4% (1999)$566 million (c.i.f., 1999)foodstuffs, tobacco, petroleum products, capital goodsFrance 38%, China 16%, UK 9%, Cote d Ivoire 5% (1999)$1.6 billion (1998 est.)$274.6 million (1997)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African StatesXOFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per eurocalendar year Benin Communications36,000 (1997)4,295 (1997) NA fair system of open wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cableAM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)620,000 (1997)2 (one privately-owned) (1997)60,000 (1997).bj1 (2000)10,000 (2000)578 km (single track)578 km 1.000-m gauge (2000)6,787 km1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)5,430 km (1997 est.)streams navigable along small sections, important only locallyCotonou, Porto-Novo Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)5 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 4 1 1 2 (2000 est.)Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,455,433 females age 15-49- 1,489,947 note- both sexes are liable for military service (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 743,980 females age 15-49- 755,149 (2001 est.)males- 70,088 females- 73,618 (2001 est.)$27 million (FY96)1.2% (FY96)international- nonetransshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the USBermudaBermuda 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. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)32 20 N, 64 45 WNorth America58.8 sq km58.8 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC0 km103 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMsubtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winterlow hills separated by fertile depressionsAtlantic Ocean 0 mTown Hill 76 mlimestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism6%0%0%0%94% (55% developed, 39% rural/open space) (1997 est.)NA sq kmhurricanes (June to November)asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open spaceconsists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land, reclaimed and otherwise, was leased by US Government from 1941 to 199563,503 (July 2001 est.) 19.4% (male 6,091; female 6,230) 69.43% (male 21,783; female 22,309) 11.17% (male 3,073; female 4,017) (2001 est.)0.74% (2001 est.)12.16 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0.94 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)9.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.12 years 75.04 years 79.06 years (2001 est.)1.81 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANABermudian(s)Bermudianblack 58%, white 36%, other 6%non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19%English (official), Portuguese age 15 and over can read and write 98% 98% 99% (1970 est.)noneBermudaSomers Islandsoverseas territory of the UKparliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-governmentHamilton9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwicknone (overseas territory of the UK)Bermuda Day, 24 May8 June 1968, amended 1989English law18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Thorold MASEFIELD (since NA June 1997)Premier Jennifer SMITH (since 10 November 1998)Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; governor invites leader of largest party in Parliament to form a government as premierbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 9 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003) percent of vote by party - PLP 54%, UBP 44%, NLP 1%, independents 1%; seats by party - PLP 26, UBP 14Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate CourtsNational Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Pamela GORDON]Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [Betty CHRISTOPHER]Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC Consul General Lawrence D. OWEN consulate(s) general- Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-5300 [1] (441) 295-1342 Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton mailing address- P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone- [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX- [1] (441) 295-1592red, 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 Bermuda EconomyBermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing financial services for international firms and luxury tourist facilities for 360,000 visitors annually. The tourist industry, which accounts for an estimated 28% of GDP, attracts 84% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported. International business contributes over 60% of Bermuda s economic output; a failed independence vote in late 1995 can be partially attributed to Bermudian fears of scaring away foreign firms. Government economic priorities are the further strengthening of the tourist and international financial sectors.purchasing power parity - $2.1 billion (2000 est.)1.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $33,000 (2000 est.)1%10%89% (1995 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.7% (2000 est.)35,296 (1997)clerical 23%, services 22%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 12%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1996)NEGL% (1995)$504.6 million$537 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY97/98)tourism, finance, insurance, structural concrete products, paints, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, ship repairingNA%550 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)511.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products$56 million (2000 est.)reexports of pharmaceuticalsUK 29.5%, US 9.8% (1997)$739 million (2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animalsUS 34%, UK 9%, Mexico 8% (1997)$NA$27.9 million (1995)Bermudian dollar (BMD)BMDBermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)1 April - 31 March Bermuda Communications52,000 (1997)7,980 (1996) NA modern, fully automatic telephone system 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)82,000 (1997)3 (1997)66,000 (1997).bm20 (2000)25,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km225 km225 km0 km note- in addition, there are 232 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned (1997)noneHamilton, Saint George105 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,836,538 GRT/9,728,045 DWTbulk 27, cargo 4, container 15, liquefied gas 7, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 16, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 3 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Canada 10, Hong Kong 10, Japan 1, Nigeria 4, Saudi Arabia 1, Sweden 3, Switzerland 2, UK 10, US 7 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary$NANA% Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- noneBhutanUnder British influence a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later a treaty was signed whereby the country became a British protectorate. Independence was attained in 1949, with India subsequently guiding foreign relations and supplying aid. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of these displaced persons are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions.Southern Asia, between China and India27 30 N, 90 30 EAsia47,000 sq km47,000 sq km0 sq kmabout half the size of Indianatotal- 1,075 kmChina 470 km, India 605 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayasmostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savannaDrangme Chhu 97 mKula Kangri 7,553 mtimber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide2%0%6%66%26% (1993 est.)340 sq km (1993 est.)violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the country s name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy seasonsoil erosion; limited access to potable waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test BanLaw of the Sealandlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes2,049,412 (July 2001 est.) note- other estimates range as low as 800,000 39.99% (male 424,832; female 394,725) 56.05% (male 591,152; female 557,498) 3.96% (male 41,125; female 40,080) (2001 est.)2.17% (2001 est.)35.73 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.03 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)108.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 52.79 years 53.16 years 52.41 years (2001 est.)5.07 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)NABhutanese (singular and plural)BhutaneseBhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects age 15 and over can read and write 42.2% 56.2% 28.1% (1995 est.)Kingdom of BhutanBhutanmonarchy; special treaty relationship with IndiaThimphu18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang note- there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse8 August 1949 (from India)National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)no written constitution or bill of rights; note - Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly; on 7 July 1998, a Royal edict was ratified giving the National Assembly additional powersbased on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictioneach family has one vote in village-level electionsnone (landlocked)King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sangay NGEDUP (since NA 1999)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 none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 give the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds voteunicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) last held NA (next to be held NA) NASupreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)no legal partiesBuddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer) New Yorkdivided 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 Bhutan EconomyThe economy, one of the world s smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 90% 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. 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. Bhutan s hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation s productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan 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. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.purchasing power parity - $2.3 billion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)38%37%25% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%7% (2000 est.)NA note- massive lack of skilled laboragriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%NA%$146 million$152 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.) note- the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan s budget expenditurescement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide9.3% (1996 est.)1.856 billion kWh (1999)0.05%99.95%0% 0% (1999)191.1 million kWh (1999)1.55 billion kWh (1999)15 million kWh (1999)rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs$154 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spicesIndia 94%, Bangladesh$269 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, riceIndia 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US$120 million (1998)$73.8 million (1995)ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)BTN; INRngultrum per US dollar - 46.540 (January 2001), 44.942 (2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee which is also legal tender1 July - 30 June Bhutan Communications6,000 (1997)NA NA domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)37,000 (1997)0 (1997)11,000 (1997).btNA500 (2000) Railways- 0 km3,285 km1,994 km1,291 km (1996)nonenone2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Bhutan Army, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Body Guards, Forest Guards (paramilitary)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 504,342 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 269,251 (2001 est.)males- 21,167 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 98,700 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) campsBoliviaBolivia, 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 counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, continuing the privatization program, and waging an anti-corruption campaign.Central South America, southwest of Brazil17 00 S, 65 00 WSouth America1,098,580 sq km1,084,390 sq km14,190 sq kmslightly less than three times the size of Montanatotal- 6,743 kmArgentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiaridrugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon BasinRio Paraguay 90 mNevado Sajama 6,542 mtin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower2%0%24%53%21% (1993 est.)1,750 sq km (1993 est.)flooding in the northeast (March-April)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 irrigationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsEnvironmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protectionlandlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world s highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru8,300,463 (July 2001 est.) 38.46% (male 1,626,698; female 1,565,748) 57.07% (male 2,315,098; female 2,421,987) 4.47% (male 166,986; female 203,946) (2001 est.)1.76% (2001 est.)27.27 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)58.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 64.06 years 61.53 years 66.72 years (2001 est.)3.51 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.1% (1999 est.)4,200 (1999 est.)380 (1999 est.)Bolivian(s)BolivianQuechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, white 15%Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) age 15 and over can read and write 83.1% 90.5% 76% (1995 est.)Republic of BoliviaBoliviaRepublica de BoliviaBoliviarepublicLa Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary)9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija6 August 1825 (from Spain)Independence Day, 6 August (1825)2 February 1967; revised in August 1994based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single)none (landlocked)President Hugo BANZER Suarez (since 6 August 1997); Vice President Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez (since 6 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Hugo BANZER Suarez (since 6 August 1997); Vice President Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez (since 6 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held May or June 2002) Hugo BANZER Suarez elected president; percent of vote - Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN) 22%; Jaime PAZ Zamora (MIR) 17%, Juan Carlos DURAN (MNR) 18%, Ivo KULJIS (UCS) 16%, Remedios LOZA (CONDEPA) 17%; no candidate received a majority of the popular vote; Hugo BANZER Suarez won a congressional runoff election on 5 August 1997 after forming a "megacoalition" with MIR, UCS, CONDEPA, NFR, and PDCbicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - some members are drawn from party lists, thus not directly elected) Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA June 2002) Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ADN 11, MIR 7, MNR 4, CONDEPA 3, UCS 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ADN 32, MNR 26, MIR 23, UCS 21, CONDEPA 19, MBL 5, IU 4Supreme 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)Christian Democratic Party or PDC [leader NA]; Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Conscience of the Fatherland or CONDEPA [Remedios LOZA Alvarado]; Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Antonio ARANIBAR]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR [Jaime PAZ Zamora]; Nationalist Democratic Action or ADN [Hugo BANZER Suarez]; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA]; New Republican Force or NFR [leader NA]; Pachacuti Indigenous Movement [Filipe QUISPE]; United Left or IU [Marcos DOMIC] note- the ADN, MIR, and UCS comprise the ruling coalitionCocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unionsCAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Marlene FERNANDEZ del Granado 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4410 [1] (202) 328-3712 Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador V. Manuel ROCHA Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 [591] (2) 432254 [591] (2) 433854three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band Bolivia EconomyBolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries, has made considerable progress toward the development of a market-oriented economy. Successes under President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-97) included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and joining the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur), as well as the privatization of the state airline, telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. His successor, Hugo BANZER Suarez has tried to further improve the country s investment climate with an anticorruption campaign. Growth slowed in 1999, in part due to tight government budget policies, which limited needed appropriations for anti-poverty programs, and the fallout from the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, major civil disturbances in April, and again in September and October, held down overall growth to 2.5%.purchasing power parity - $20.9 billion (2000 est.)2.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2000 est.)16%31%53% (1999 est.)70% (1999 est.)2.3%31.7% (1990)4.4% (2000 est.)2.5 millionagriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%11.4% (1997) note- widespread underemployment$2.7 billion$2.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998)mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing4% (1995 est.)3.625 billion kWh (1999)56.61%41.6%0% 1.79% (1999)3.377 billion kWh (1999)4 million kWh (1999)10 million kWh (1999)soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber$1.26 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)soybeans, natural gas, zinc, gold, woodUK 16%, US 12%, Peru 11%, Argentina 10%, Colombia 7% (1998)$1.86 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)capital goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, chemicals, petroleum, foodUS 32%, Japan 24%, Brazil 12%, Argentina 12%, Chile 7%, Peru 4%, Germany 3%, other 6% (1998)$6.6 billion (2000)$588 million (1997)boliviano (BOB)BOBbolivianos per US dollar - 6.4071 (January 2001), 6.1835 (2000), 5.8124 (1999), 5.5101 (1998), 5.2543 (1997), 5.0746 (1996)calendar year Bolivia Communications327,600 (1996)116,000 (1997) new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly 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 satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999)5.25 million (1997)48 (1997)900,000 (1997).bo9 (2000)35,000 (2000)3,691 km (single track)3,652 km 1.000-m gauge; 39 km 0.760-m gauge (13 km electrified) (1995)49,400 km2,500 km (including 30 km of expressways)46,900 km (1996)10,000 km (commercially navigable)crude oil 1,800 km; petroleum products 580 km; natural gas 1,495 kmnone; however, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 141,017 GRT/211,058 DWTbulk 5, cargo 20, chemical tanker 3, container 1, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 3 (2000 est.)1,093 (2000 est.) 13 4 3 4 2 (2000 est.) 1,080 3 65 212 800 (2000 est.)Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia)19 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,005,660 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,306,452 (2001 est.)males- 90,120 (2001 est.)$147 million (FY99)1.8% (FY99)international- has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rightsworld s third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru, a distant second) with an estimated 14,600 hectares under cultivation in 2000, a 33% decrease in overall cultivation of coca from 1999 levels; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to the US and other international drug markets; eradication and alternative crop programs have slashed illicit coca cultivation during the BANZER administration beginning in 1997Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina s declaration of sovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a referendum for independence from the former Yugoslavia in February 1992. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia - 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 signed a peace agreement that brought to a halt the three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina s international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government is charged with conducting foreign, economic, 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 are charged with overseeing internal functions. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFOR remains in place at a level of approximately 21,000 troops.Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia44 00 N, 18 00 EBosnia and Herzegovina, Europe51,129 sq km51,129 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than West Virginiatotal- 1,459 kmCroatia 932 km, Yugoslavia 527 km20 kmNAhot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coastmountains and valleysAdriatic Sea 0 mMaglic 2,386 mcoal, iron, bauxite, manganese, forests, copper, chromium, lead, zinc, hydropower14%5%20%39%22% (1993 est.)20 sq km (1993 est.)destructive earthquakesair pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strifeAir Pollution, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementswithin 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 traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority3,922,205 note- all data dealing with population are subject to considerable error because of the dislocations caused by military action and ethnic cleansing (July 2001 est.) 20.13% (male 405,713; female 383,850) 70.78% (male 1,422,796; female 1,353,410) 9.09% (male 150,802; female 205,634) (2001 est.)1.38% (2001 est.)12.86 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.99 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)24.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.75 years 69.04 years 74.65 years (2001 est.)1.71 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.04% (1999 est.)NAless than 100 (1999 est.)Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)Bosnian, HerzegovinianSerb 31%, Bosniak 44%, Croat 17%, Yugoslav 5.5%, other 2.5% (1991) note- Bosniak has replaced muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of IslamMuslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10%Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian NA NA% NA% NA%noneBosnia and HerzegovinanoneBosna i Hercegovinaemerging democracySarajevothere are two first-order administrative divisions - the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko in northeastern Bosnia is a self-governing administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; it is not part of either the Federation or Republika Srpska1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia)National Day, 25 November (1943)the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in forcebased on civil law system16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universalNAChairman of the Presidency Jozo KRIZANOVI (chairman since 14 June 2001, presidency member since NA March 2001 - Croat); other members of the three-member rotating (every 8 months) presidency- Zivko RADISIC (since 13 October 1998 - Serb) and Beriz BELKIC (since NA March 2001 - Bosniak); note - Ante JELAVIC was dismissed from his post by the UN High Representative in March 2001Chairman of the Council of Ministers Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA (since 18 July 2001)Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the National House of Representatives the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term; the member with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he or she was the incumbent chairman at the time of the election; election last held 12-13 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2002); the chairman of the Council of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the National House of Representatives percent of vote - Zivko RADISIC with 52% of the Serb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for the first 8 months; Ante JELAVIC with 52% of the Croat vote followed RADISIC in the rotation; Alija IZETBEGOVIC with 87% of the Bosniak vote won the highest number of votes in the election but was ineligible to serve a second term until RADISIC and JELAVIC had each served a first term as Chairman of the Presidency; IZETBEGOVIC retired from the presidency 14 October 2000 and was temporarily replaced by Halid GENJAC; Ante JELAVIC was replaced by Jozo KRIZANOVIC in March 2001 note- President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina- Karlo FILIPOVIC (since 27 February 2001); Vice President Safet HALILOVIC (since 27 February 2001); note - president and vice president rotate every year; President of the Republika Srpska- Mirko SAROVIC (since 11 November 2000)bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the National House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats - 14 Serb, 14 Croat, and 14 Bosniak; members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) and 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 two-year terms); note - as of 1 January 2001, Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a permanent election law; a draft law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures; officials elected in 2000 were elected to two-year terms on the presumption that a permanent law would be in place before 2002 National House of Representatives - elections last held 11 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2002); House of Peoples - last constituted after the 11 November 2000 elections (next to be constituted in the fall of 2002) National House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDP 9, SDA 8, SDS 6, HDZ-BiH 5, SBH 5, PDP 2, NHI 1, BPS 1, DPS 1, SNS 1, SNSD-DSP 1, DNZ 1, SPRS 1; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA%; seats by party/coalition - NA note- the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that consists of a House of Representatives (140 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 11 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2002); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 38, SDP 37, HDZ-BiH 25, SBH 21, DNZ 3, NHI 2, BPS 2, DPS 2, BOSS 2, GDS 1, RP 1, HSS 1, LDS 1, Pensioners Party of FBiH 1, SNSD-DSP 1, HKDU 1, HSP 1; and a House of Peoples (74 seats - 30 Bosniak, 30 Croat, and 14 others); last constituted November 2000; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 11 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2002); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDS 31, PDP 11, SNSD 11, SDA 6, DSP 4, SDP 4, SPRS 4, SBH 4, DNS 3, SNS 2, NHI 1, DSRS 1, Pensioners Party 1; as of 1 January 2001, Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a permanent election law; a draft law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order administrative division entity legislatures; officials elected in 2000 were elected to two-year terms on the presumption that a permanent law would be in place before 2002BiH 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) note- a new state court, established in November 1999, has jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities; the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a number of lower courts; there are ten cantonal courts in the Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska has five municipal courtsBosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Bosnian Patriotic Party or BPS [Sefer HALILOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party of BiH or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croat Christian Democratic Union or HKDU BiH [Ante PASALIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of BiH or HDZ-BiH [leader vacant]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Zdravko HRSTIC]; Croatian Peasants Party of BiH or HSS-BiH [Ilija SIMIC]; Democratic Action Party or SDA [Alija IZETBEGOVIC]; Democratic National Alliance or DNS [Dragan KOSTIC]; Democratic Party of Pensioners or DPS [Alojz KNEZOVIC]; Democratic Party of RS or DSRS [Dragomir DUMIC]; Democratic Peoples Union or DNZ [Fikret ABDIC]; Democratic Socialist Party or DSP [Nebojsa RADMANOVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; New Croatian Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBH [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Party of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Pensioners Party of FBiH [Husein VOJNIKOVIC]; Pensioners Party of SR [Stojan BOGOSAVAC]; Republican Party of BiH or RP [Stjepan KLJUIC]; Serb Democratic Party or Serb Lands or SDS [Dragan KALINIC]; Serb National Alliance (Serb People s Alliance) or SNS [Biljana PLAVSIC]; Social Democratic Party BIH or SDP-BiH [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Zivko RADISIC]NABIS, CE (guest), CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Igor DAVIDOVIC 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 337-1500 [1] (202) 337-1502 New York Ambassador Thomas J. MILLER Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo use street address [387] (33) 445-700 [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s)- Banja Luka, Mostara 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 Government - note- The Dayton Agreement, signed in Paris on 14 December 1995, retained Bosnia and Herzegovina s exterior border and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government - based on proportional representation similar to that which existed in the former socialist regime - is charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. The Dayton Agreement also recognized a second tier of government, comprised of two entities - a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska (RS) - each presiding over roughly one-half the territory. The Federation and RS governments are charged with overseeing internal functions. The Dayton Agreement established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. About 250 international and 450 local staff members are employed by the OHR. Bosnia and Herzegovina EconomyBosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the development of military industries in the republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a large share of Yugoslavia s defense plants. The bitter interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80% from 1990 to 1995, unemployment to soar, and human misery to multiply. With an uneasy peace in place, output recovered in 1996-98 at high percentage rates from a low base; but output growth slowed appreciably in 1999 and 2000, and GDP remains far below the 1990 level. Economic data are of limited use because, although both entities issue figures, national-level statistics are not available. Moreover, official data do not capture the large share of activity that occurs on the black market. The marka - the national currency introduced in 1998 - has gained wide acceptance, and the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has dramatically increased its reserve holdings. Implementation of privatization, however, has been slower than anticipated. Banking reform accelerated in early 2001 as all the communist-era payments bureaus were shut down. The country receives substantial amounts of reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid from the international community but will have to prepare for an era of declining assistance.purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (2000 est.)8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)19%23%58% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%8% (2000 est.)1.026 millionagriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%35%-40% (1999 est.)$1.9 billion$2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining10% (2000 est.)2.585 billion kWh (1999)38.68%61.32%0% 0% (1999)2.684 billion kWh (1999)150 million kWh (1999)430 million kWh (1999)wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock$950 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)NACroatia, Switzerland, Italy, Germany$2.45 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)NACroatia, Slovenia, Germany, Italy$3.4 billion (2000 est.)$1 billion (1999 est.)marka (BAM)BAMmarka per US dollar - 2.086 (January 2001), 2.124 (2000), 1.837 (1999), 1.760 (1998), 1.734 (1997), 0.015 (1996)calendar year Bosnia and Herzegovina Communications303,000 (1997)9,000 (1997) telephone and telegraph network is in need of modernization and expansion; many urban areas are below average when compared with services in other former Yugoslav republics NA no satellite earth stationsAM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998)940,000 (1997)33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995)NA.ba3 (2000)3,500 (2000)1,021 km (electrified 795 km; operating as diesel or steam until grids are repaired)1,021 km 1.435-m gauge; note - many segments still need repair and/or reconstruction (2000)21,846 km14,020 km7,826 km note- road system is in need of maintenance and repair (2001)NA km; large sections of the Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debriscrude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992)Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)28 (2000 est.) 9 4 2 3 (2000 est.) 19 1 7 11 (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.)Federation Army or VF (composed of both Croatian and Bosniak elements), Republika Srpska Army or VRS (composed of Bosnian Serb elements); note - within both of these forces air and air defense are subordinate commands19 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,127,146 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 895,780 (2001 est.)males- 29,757 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- noneminor transit point for marijuana and opiate trafficking routes to Western EuropeBotswanaFormerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. The economy, one of the most robust on the continent, is dominated by diamond mining.Southern Africa, north of South Africa22 00 S, 24 00 EAfrica600,370 sq km585,370 sq km15,000 sq kmslightly smaller than Texastotal- 4,013 kmNamibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)semiarid; warm winters and hot summerspredominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwestjunction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 mTsodilo Hills 1,489 mdiamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver1%0%46%47%6% (1993 est.)20 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibilityovergrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resourcesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementslandlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country1,586,119 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 40.3% (male 321,164; female 318,007) 55.56% (male 423,954; female 457,227) 4.14% (male 26,691; female 39,076) (2001 est.)0.47% (2001 est.)28.85 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)24.18 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)63.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 37.13 years 36.77 years 37.51 years (2001 est.)3.7 children born/woman (2001 est.)35.8% (1999 est.)290,000 (1999 est.)24,000 (1999 est.)Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50%English (official), Setswana age 15 and over can read and write 69.8% 80.5% 59.9% (1995 est.)Republic of BotswanaBotswanaBechuanalandparliamentary republicGaborone10 districts and four town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Ngamiland, North-East, Selebi-Pikwe*, South-East, Southern30 September 1966 (from UK)Independence Day, 30 September (1966)March 1965, effective 30 September 1966based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); vice president appointed by the president Festus MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 54.3%bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members selected by the other 12) and the National Assembly (44 seats, 40 members are directly elected by popular vote and 4 appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms) National Assembly elections last held 16 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004) percent of vote by party - BDP 57.2%, BNF 26%, other 16.8%; seats by party - BDP 33, BNF 6, other 1High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates Courts (one in each district)Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Kenneth KOMA]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Michael DINGAKE]; Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO] note- main parties are- BDP, BNF, BCP; other minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim SETSHWAELO, chairman] but did not capture any parliamentary seats; the BAM parties are- the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO], the Botswana Peoples Party, the Independence Freedom Party [Motsamai MPHO], and the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Kgosi SEEPAPITSO IV 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 244-4990 [1] (202) 244-4164 Ambassador John E. LANGE address NA, Gaborone P. O. Box 90, Gaborone [267] 353982 [267] 356947light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Botswana EconomyBotswana has maintained one of the world s highest growth rates since independence in 1966. 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 $6,600 in 2000. Diamond mining has fueled much of Botswana s economic expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for three-fourths of export earnings. Tourism, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. The government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is 19%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest in the world and threaten Botswana s impressive economic gains.purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,600 (2000 est.)4%46% (including 36% mining)50% (1998 est.)47% (2000 est.)NA%NA%8.6% (2000 est.)235,000 formal sector employees (1995)100,000 public sector; 135,000 private sector, including 14,300 who are employed in various mines in South Africa; most others engaged in cattle raising and subsistence agriculture (1995 est.)40% (2000 est.)$1.6 billion$1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $560 million (FY96)diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing6.2% (2000 est.)610 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.517 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)950 million kWh (1999)sorghum, corn, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed; livestock$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)diamonds 72%, vehicles, copper, nickel, meat (1998)EU 77%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 18%, Zimbabwe 3% (1998)$2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum productsSouthern African Customs Union (SACU) 76%, Europe 10%, South Korea 5% (1998)$455 million (2000)$73 million (1995)pula (BWP)BWPpulas per US dollar - 5.4585 (January 2001), 5.1018 (2000), 4.6244 (1999), 4.2259 (1998), 3.6508 (1997), 3.3242 (1996)1 April - 31 March Botswana Communications86,000 (1997)NA sparse system small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations two international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 7, FM 15, shortwave 5 (1998)237,000 (1997)0 (1997)31,000 (1997).bw3 (2000)12,000 (2000)888 km888 km 1.067-m gauge (2000)18,482 km4,343 km14,139 km (1996)nonenone92 (2000 est.) 11 2 8 1 (2000 est.) 81 3 56 22 (2000 est.)Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police18 years of agemales age 15-49- 380,152 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 199,995 (2001 est.)males- 19,479 (2001 est.)$61 million (FY99)1.2% (FY99)international- noneBouvet IslandThis 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, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island.Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)54 26 S, 3 24 EAntarctic Region58.5 sq km58.5 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC0 km29.6 km4 NMantarcticvolcanic; maximum elevation about 800 m; coast is mostly inaccessibleSouth Atlantic Ocean 0 mOlav Peak 935 mnone0%0%0%0%100% (93% ice)0 sq km (1993)NANAcovered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserveuninhabited (July 2001 est.)noneBouvet Islandterritory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslothe laws of Norway, where applicable, applythe flag of Norway is used Bouvet Island Economyno economic activity; declared a nature reserve Bouvet Island Communications.bv Communications - note- automatic meteorological stationnonenone; offshore anchorage only Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Norwayinternational- noneBrazilFollowing three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil became Latin America s leading economic power by the 1970s. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean10 00 S, 55 00 WSouth America8,511,965 sq km8,456,510 sq km55,455 sq km note- includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Pauloslightly smaller than the UStotal- 14,691 kmArgentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km7,491 km24 NM200 NM200 NM12 NMmostly tropical, but temperate in southmostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal beltAtlantic Ocean 0 mPico da Neblina 3,014 mbauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber5%1%22%58%14% (1993 est.)28,000 sq km (1993 est.)recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in southdeforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers the existence of a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities note- President CARDOSO in September 1999 signed into force an environmental crime bill which for the first time defines pollution and deforestation as crimes punishable by stiff fines and jail sentencesAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocollargest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador174,468,575 note- Brazil took an intercensal count in August 1996 which reported a population of 157,079,573; that figure was about 5% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, which is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census; 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 28.57% (male 25,390,039; female 24,449,902) 65.98% (male 56,603,895; female 58,507,289) 5.45% (male 3,857,564; female 5,659,886) (2001 est.)0.91% (2001 est.)18.45 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.34 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)36.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.24 years 58.96 years 67.73 years (2001 est.)2.09 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.57% (1999 est.)540,000 (1999 est.)18,000 (1999 est.)Brazilian(s)Brazilianwhite (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1%Roman Catholic (nominal) 80%Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French age 15 and over can read and write 83.3% 83.3% 83.2% (1995 est.)Federative Republic of BrazilBrazilRepublica Federativa do BrasilBrasilfederative republicBrasilia26 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, Tocantins7 September 1822 (from Portugal)Independence Day, 7 September (1822)5 October 1988based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionvoluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of agePresident Fernando Henrique CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995); Vice President Marco MACIEL (since 1 January 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Fernando Henrique CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995); Vice President Marco MACIEL (since 1 January 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 4 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) Fernando Henrique CARDOSO reelected president; percent of vote - 53%bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from each state or federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Federal Senate - last held 4 October 1998 for one-third of Senate (next to be held NA October 2002 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 4 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PMDB 27, PFL 20, PSDB 16, PT 7, PPB 5, PSB 3, PDT 2, PPS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PFL 106, PSDB 99, PMDB 82, PPB 60, PT 58, PTB 31, PDT 25, PSB 19, PL 12, PCdoB 7, other 14Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 ministers are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life)Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Jader BARBALHO, president]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Teotonio VILELA Filno]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Miguel ARRAES, president]; Brazilian Progressive Party or PPB [Paulo Salim MALUF]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Sergio Roberto Gomes SOUZA, chairman]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Leonel BRIZOLA, president]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Jorge BORNHAUSEN, president]; Liberal Party or PL [Francisco Teixeira de OLIVEIRA]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Ciro GOMEZ, president]; Worker s Party or PT [Jose DIRCEU, president]left wing of the Catholic Church, Landless Worker s Movement, and labor unions allied to leftist Worker s Party are critical of government s social and economic policiesAfDB, BIS, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Rubens Antonio BARBOSA 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 238-2700 [1] (202) 238-2827 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Anthony S. HARRINGTON Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 [55] (061) 321-7272 [55] (061) 225-9136 Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s)- Recifegreen with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) Brazil EconomyPossessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil s economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. In the late eighties and early nineties, high inflation hindered economic activity and investment. "The Real Plan", instituted in the spring of 1994, sought to break inflationary expectations by pegging the real to the US dollar. Inflation was brought down to single digit annual figures, but not fast enough to avoid substantial real exchange rate appreciation during the transition phase of the "Real Plan". This appreciation meant that Brazilian goods were now more expensive relative to goods from other countries, which contributed to large current account deficits. However, no shortage of foreign currency ensued because of the financial community s renewed interest in Brazilian markets as inflation rates stabilized and the debt crisis of the eighties faded from memory. The maintenance of large current account deficits via capital account surpluses became problematic as investors became more risk averse to emerging market exposure as a consequence of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the Russian bond default in August 1998. After crafting a fiscal adjustment program and pledging progress on structural reform, Brazil received a $41.5 billion IMF-led international support program in November 1998. In January 1999, the Brazilian Central Bank announced that the real would no longer be pegged to the US dollar. This devaluation helped moderate the downturn in economic growth in 1999 that investors had expressed concerns about over the summer of 1998. Brazil s debt to GDP ratio for 1999 beat the IMF target and helped reassure investors that Brazil will maintain tight fiscal and monetary policy even with a floating currency. The economy continued to recover in 2000, with inflation remaining in the single digits and expected growth for 2001 of 4.5%. Foreign direct investment set a record of more than $30 billion in 2000.purchasing power parity - $1.13 trillion (2000 est.)4.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2000 est.)9%29%62% (1999 est.)17.4% (1990 est.)1%47.6% (1996)6% (2000)79 million (1999 est.)services 53.2%, agriculture 23.1%, industry 23.7%7.1% (2000 est.)$151 billion$149 billion, including capital expenditures of $36 billion (1998)textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment6.9% (2000 est.)337.44 billion kWh (1999)5.28%90.66%1.12% 2.94% (1999)353.674 billion kWh (1999)5 million kWh (1999)39.86 billion kWh note- supplied by Paraguay (1999)coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef$55.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)manufactures, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffeeUS 23%, Argentina 11%, Germany 5%, Netherlands 5%, Japan 5% (1999)$55.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, chemical products, oil, electricityUS 24%, Argentina 12%, Germany 10%, Japan 5%, Italy 5% (1999)$232 billion (2000)NAreal (BRL)BRLreals per US dollar - 1.954 (January 2001), 1.830 (2000), 1.815 (1999), 1.161 (1998), 1.078 (1997), 1.005 (1996) note- from October 1994 through 14 January 1999, the official rate was determined by a managed float; since 15 January 1999, the official rate floats independently with respect to the US dollarcalendar year Brazil Communications17.039 million (1997)4.4 million (1997) good working system extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to MERCOSUR Brazilsat B3 satellite earth stationAM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999)71 million (1997)138 (1997)36.5 million (1997).br50 (2000)8.65 million (2000)30,539 km (2,129 km electrified); note - excludes urban rail broad gauge- 5,679 km 1.600-m gauge (1199 km electrified)194 km 1.440-m gauge24,666 km 1.000-m gauge (930 km electrified) dual gauge- 336 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (1999 est.)1.98 million km184,140 km1,795,860 km (1996)50,000 kmcrude oil 2,980 km; petroleum products 4,762 km; natural gas 4,246 km (1998)Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria171 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,788,999 GRT/6,067,314 DWTbulk 33, cargo 26, chemical tanker 5, combination ore/oil 9, container 12, liquefied gas 11, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 56, roll on/roll off 12, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)3,264 (2000 est.) 570 5 21 141 370 33 (2000 est.) 2,694 68 1,279 1,347 (2000 est.)Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes naval air and marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 48,298,486 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 32,388,786 (2001 est.)males- 1,762,740 (2001 est.)$13.408 billion (FY99)1.9% (FY99)international- nonelimited illicit producer of cannabis, minor coca cultivation in the Amazon region, mostly used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for the US and 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 Bolivian, Peruvian, and Colombian cocaineBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryEstablished as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were 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. Former agricultural workers, earlier resident in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order which had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia.Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia6 00 S, 71 30 EWorld60 sq km60 sq km0 sq km note- includes the entire Chagos Archipelagoabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC0 km698 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMtropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade windsflat and low (most areas do not exceed four meters in elevation)Indian Ocean 0 munnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 mcoconuts, fish, sugarcane0%0%0%NA%NA%0 sq km (1993)NANAarchipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facilityno 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 around the time of the construction of UK-US military facilities; in 1995, there were approximately 1,700 UK and US military personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors living on the island of Diego GarciaBritish Indian Ocean Territorynone abbreviation- BIOToverseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Londonthe laws of the UK, where applicable, applyexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Commissioner John WHITE (since NA); Administrator Louise SAVILL (since NA); note - both reside in the UKNA none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarchwhite 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 British Indian Ocean Territory EconomyAll economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing.NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US militaryNA kWh British Indian Ocean Territory CommunicationsNA separate facilities for military and public needs are available all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)NA1 (1997)NA.io1 (2000)NA kmshort stretch of paved road of NA km between port and airfield on Diego GarciaNA kmnoneDiego Garcia1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016international- the Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius and SeychellesBritish Virgin IslandsFirst settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were soon after (1672) annexed by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico18 30 N, 64 30 WCentral America and the Caribbean150 sq km150 sq km0 sq km note- includes the island of Anegadaabout 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC0 km80 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMsubtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade windscoral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hillyCaribbean Sea 0 mMount Sage 521 mNEGL20%7%33%7%33% (1993 est.)NA sq kmhurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)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 catchment)strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico20,812 (July 2001 est.) 22.77% (male 2,399; female 2,339) 72.31% (male 7,741; female 7,309) 4.92% (male 555; female 469) (2001 est.)2.22% (2001 est.)15.18 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)11.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.18 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female (2001 est.)20.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.64 years 74.74 years 76.59 years (2001 est.)1.72 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANABritish Virgin Islander(s)British Virgin Islanderblack 90%, white, AsianProtestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah s Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)English (official) age 15 and over can read and write 97.8% (1991 est.) NA% NA%noneBritish Virgin Islands abbreviation- BVIoverseas territory of the UKNARoad Townnone (overseas territory of the UK)none (overseas territory of the UK)Territory Day, 1 July1 June 1977English law18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Francis J. SAVAGE (since NA)Chief Minister Ralph T. O NEAL (since 15 May 1995)Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Councilunicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve five-year terms) last held 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - VIP 7, CCM 1, NDP 5Eastern 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 JurisdictionConcerned 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]NACaricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) British Virgin Islands EconomyThe economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1997. 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. An estimated 250,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 1997. 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, is expected to make 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 dollar as its currency since 1959.purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.)1.8%6.2%92% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2% (2000)4,911 (1980)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%3% (1995)$121.5 million$115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center4% (1985)42 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)39.1 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish$6.2 million (2000 est.)rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sandVirgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US$220 million (2000 est.)building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machineryVirgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US$36.1 million (1997)$2.6 million (1995)US dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 April - 31 March British Virgin Islands Communications10,000 (1996)NA worldwide telephone service NA submarine cable to BermudaAM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)9,000 (1997)1 (plus one cable company) (1997)4,000 (1997).vg16 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km132 km132 km0 km (1997)noneRoad Town1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,285 GRT/6,946 DWTpassenger 1 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- nonetransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and EuropeBruneiThe Sultanate of Brunei s heyday occurred 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. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the less developed countries. The same family has now ruled in Brunei for over six centuries.Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia4 30 N, 114 40 ESoutheast Asia5,770 sq km5,270 sq km500 sq kmslightly smaller than Delawaretotal- 381 kmMalaysia 381 km161 km200 NM or to median line12 NMtropical; hot, humid, rainyflat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in westSouth China Sea 0 mBukit Pagon 1,850 mpetroleum, natural gas, timber1%1%1%85%12% (1993 est.)10 sq km (1993 est.)typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are very rareseasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in IndonesiaEndangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionnone of the selected agreementsclose to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia343,653 (July 2001 est.) 30.77% (male 53,977; female 51,772) 66.52% (male 121,601; female 107,007) 2.71% (male 4,449; female 4,847) (2001 est.)2.11% (2001 est.)20.45 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.38 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.82 years 71.45 years 76.31 years (2001 est.)2.44 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.2% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)NABruneian(s)BruneianMalay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12%Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10%Malay (official), English, Chinese age 15 and over can read and write 88.2% 92.6% 83.4% (1995 est.)Negara Brunei DarussalamBruneiconstitutional sultanateBandar Seri Begawan4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong1 January 1984 (from UK)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 protection29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari a law supersedes civil law in a number of areasnoneSultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of governmentSultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil 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 none; the monarch is hereditaryunicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the monarch) last held in March 1962 note- in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the monarch; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are unlikely for several yearsSupreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms)Brunei Solidarity National Party or PPKB in Malay [Haji Mohd HATTA bin Haji Zainal Abidin, president]; the PPKB is the only legal political party in Brunei; it was registered in 1985, but became largely inactive after 1988, it was revived in 1995 and again in 1998; it has less than 200 registered party members; other parties include Brunei People s Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988)NAAPEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CCC, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato Haji PUTEH Ibni Mohammad Alam 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 342-0159 [1] (202) 342-0158 Ambassador Sylvia Gaye STANFIELD Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507 [673] (2) 229670 [673] (2) 225293yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Brunei EconomyThis small, wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare measures, and village tradition. Exports of crude oil and natural gas account for over half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei s leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, a further widening of the economic base beyond oil and gas.purchasing power parity - $5.9 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $17,600 (2000 est.)5%46%49% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%1% (1999 est.)144,000 (1995 est.); note - includes foreign workers and military personnel note- temporary residents make up 41% of labor force (1991)government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10% (1999 est.)4.9% (1995 est.)$2.5 billion$2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (1997 est.)petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction4% (1997 est.)2.445 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)2.274 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo$2.55 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)crude oil, natural gas, refined productsJapan 42%, US 17%, South Korea 14%, Thailand 3% (1999)$1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicalsSingapore 34%, UK 15%, Malaysia 15%, US 5% (1999)$0$4.3 million (1995)Bruneian dollar (BND)BNDBruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.7365 (January 2001), 1.7240 (2000), 1.6950 (1999), 1.6736 (1998), 1.4848 (1997), 1.4100 (1996); note - the Bruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollarcalendar year Brunei Communications79,000 (1996)43,524 (1996) service throughout country is excellent; international service good to Europe, US, and East Asia every service available satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, Singapore, and Philippines (2001)AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)329,000 (1998)2 (1997)201,900 (1998).bn2 (2000)28,000 (2001)13 km (private line)13 km 0.610-m gauge1,712 km1,284 km428 km (1996)209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 mcrude oil 135 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas 920 kmBandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 348,476 GRT/340,635 DWTliquefied gas 7 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.)Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police18 years of agemales age 15-49- 106,725 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 61,640 (2001 est.)males- 3,005 (2001 est.)$343 million (FY98)5.1% (FY98)international- possibly involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the islanddrug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penaltyBulgariaBulgaria earned its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878, but having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, it 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 multi-party 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. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into NATO and the EU - with which it began accession negotiations in 2000.Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey43 00 N, 25 00 EEurope110,910 sq km110,550 sq km360 sq kmslightly larger than Tennesseetotal- 1,808 kmGreece 494 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Yugoslavia 318 km, Turkey 240 km354 km24 NM200 NM12 NMtemperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summersmostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeastBlack Sea 0 mMusala 2,925 mbauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land43%2%14%38%3% (1999 est.)12,370 sq km (1993 est.)earthquakes, landslidesair 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 wastesAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia7,707,495 (July 2001 est.) 15.11% (male 597,765; female 567,030) 68.17% (male 2,588,805; female 2,665,736) 16.72% (male 543,665; female 744,494) (2001 est.)-1.14% (2001 est.)8.06 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.53 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-4.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.2 years 67.72 years 74.89 years (2001 est.)1.13 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)NAless than 100 (1999 est.)Bulgarian(s)BulgarianBulgarian 83%, Turk 8.5%, Roma 2.6%, Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Gagauz, Circassian, others (1998)Bulgarian Orthodox 83.5%, Muslim 13%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Uniate Catholic 0.2%, Jewish 0.8%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 1% (1998)Bulgarian, secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic breakdown age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99% 98% (1999)Republic of BulgariaBulgariaparliamentary democracySofia28 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, Yambol3 March 1878 (from Ottoman Empire)Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)adopted 12 July 1991civil law and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Petar STOYANOV (since 22 January 1997); Vice President Todor KAVALDZHIEV (since 22 January 1997)Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) Ivan KOSTOV (since 19 May 1997); Deputy Prime Minister Petur ZHOTEV (since 21 December 1999)Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 October and 3 November 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister Petar STOYANOV elected president; percent of vote - Petar STOYANOV 59.73%unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 17 June 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - National Movement for Simeon II 120, UDF 51, BSP 48, DPS 21Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation; Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members; responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary)Alliance for National Salvation or ANS (coalition led mainly by Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF) [Ahmed DOGAN]; Bulgarian Business Bloc or BBB [Georgi GANCHEV]; Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Georgi PURVANOV, chairman]; Democratic Left or DL (bloc led by BSP, includes Ecoglasnost Political Club and Bulgarian Agrarian National Union) [leader NA]; Euro-left [Aleksandur TOMOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or UMRO [Aleksander KARAKACHNOV]; Kingdom of Bulgaria Federation [leader NA]; Movement for Rights and Freedom or DPS [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Simeon II [Simeon II, former king]; New Civic Party for Bulgaria [Bogomil BONEV]; People s Union or PU (includes Bulgarian Agrarian People s Union and Democratic Party) [Anastasiya MOZER]; St. George s Day [Lyuben DILOV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF (an alliance of pro-democratic parties) [Ivan KOSTOV]agrarian movement; Bulgarian Democratic Center; Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Democratic Alliance for the Republic or DAR; New Union for Democracy or NUD; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendasACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Philip DIMITROV 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-7969 [1] (202) 234-7973 consulate(s)- New York Ambassador Richard M. MILES 1 Suborna Street, Sofia American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5740 [359] (2) 980-52-41 [359] (2) 981-89-77three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control) Bulgaria EconomyBulgaria, a former communist country struggling to enter the European market economy, suffered a major economic downturn in 1996 and 1997, with triple digit inflation and GDP contraction of 10.6% and 6.9%. The current government - which took office in May 1997 after pre-term parliamentary elections - stabilized the economy and promoted growth by implementing a currency board, practicing sound financial policies, invigorating privatization, and pursuing structural reforms. Additionally, strong assistance from international financial institutions - most notably the IMF which approved a three-year Extended Fund Facility worth approximately $900 million in September 1998 - played a critical role in turning the economy around. After several years of tumult, Bulgaria s economy has stabilized. Its better-than-expected economic performance in 1999 - despite the impact of the Kosovo conflict, the 1998 Russian financial crisis, and structural reforms - and strong growth in 2000 portends solid growth over the next few years; this assumes continued fiscal restraint, additional structural reforms, aid from abroad, and prosperous times in the EU economy.purchasing power parity - $48 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2000 est.)15%29%56% (2000 est.)35% (2000 est.)3.4%22.5% (1995)10.4% (2000 est.)3.83 million (2000 est.)agriculture 26%, industry 31%, services 43% (1998 est.)17.7% (2000 est.)$4.85 billion$4.92 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel10.8% (2000 est.)36.217 billion kWh (1999)51.52%8.35%40.12% 0.01% (1999)33.182 billion kWh (1999)2.2 billion kWh (1999)1.7 billion kWh (1999)vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets$4.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuelsItaly 14%, Turkey 10%, Germany 9%, Greece 8%, Yugoslavia 8%, Belgium 6%, France 5%, US 4% (2000)$5.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)fuels, minerals, and raw materials; machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; food, textilesRussia 24%, Germany 14%, Italy 8%, Greece 5%, France 5%, Romania 4%, Turkey 3%, US 3% (2000)$10.4 billion (2000 est.)$1 billion (1999 est.)lev (BGL)BGLleva per US dollar - 2.0848 (January 2001), 2.1233 (2000), 1.8364 (1999), 1,760.36 (1998), 1,681.88 (1997), 177.89 (1996) note- on 5 July 1999, the lev was redenominated; the post-5 July 1999 lev is equal to 1,000 of the pre-5 July 1999 levcalendar year Bulgaria Communications3.255 million (2000)596,000 (2000) extensive but antiquated more than two-thirds of the lines are residential; telephone service is available in most villages; 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 direct dialing to 58 countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 2 Intelsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions)AM 24, FM 93, shortwave 2 (1998)4.51 million (1997)96 (plus 1,030 repeaters) (1995)3.31 million (1997).bg26 (2000)200,000 (2000)4,294 km4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified; 917 km double track)245 km 0.760-m gauge (1998)36,724 km33,786 km (including 314 km of expressways)2,938 km (1999)470 km (1987)petroleum products 525 km; natural gas 1,500 km (1999)Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin81 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 938,706 GRT/1,440,374 DWTbulk 44, cargo 16, chemical tanker 4, container 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 6, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)215 (2000 est.) 128 1 19 15 1 92 (2000 est.) 87 2 10 75 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense Forces, Internal Troops19 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,891,498 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,581,697 (2001 est.)males- 56,104 (2001 est.)$344 million (FY00)2.4% (FY00)major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicalsBurkina FasoIndependence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. Governmental instability during the 1970s and 1980s was followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Several hundred thousand farm workers migrate south every year to Cote d Ivoire and Ghana.Western Africa, north of Ghana13 00 N, 2 00 WAfrica274,200 sq km273,800 sq km400 sq kmslightly larger than Coloradototal- 3,192 kmBenin 306 km, Cote d Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 548 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summersmostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeastMouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 mTena Kourou 749 mmanganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver13%0%22%50%15% (1993 est.)200 sq km (1993 est.)recurring droughtsrecent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsLaw of the Sea, Nuclear Test Banlandlocked12,272,289 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 47.5% (male 2,937,285; female 2,892,107) 49.59% (male 2,903,153; female 3,183,121) 2.91% (male 150,688; female 205,935) (2001 est.)2.68% (2001 est.)44.79 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)17.05 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)106.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 46.41 years 45.86 years 46.98 years (2001 est.)6.35 children born/woman (2001 est.)6.44% (1999 est.)350,000 (1999 est.)43,000 (1999 est.)Burkinabe (singular and plural)BurkinabeMossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulaniindigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population age 15 and over can read and write 19.2% 29.5% 9.2% (1995 est.)noneBurkina FasoUpper Volta, Republic of Upper VoltaparliamentaryOuagadougou30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houe, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo note- a new electoral code was approved by the National Assembly in January 1997; the number of administrative provinces was increased from 30 to 45 (Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komandjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koupelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Naumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Samentenga, Sanguie, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondomo, Zoundweogo), however, this change has not yet been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names5 August 1960 (from France)Republic Day, 11 December (1958)2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adoptedbased on French civil law system and customary lawuniversalnone (landlocked)President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6 November 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; the president may serve unlimited terms; election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5% percent of the vote, 56% of voter turnout note- President COMPAORE faces an increasingly well-coordinated opposition; recent charges against a former member of his Presidential Guard in the 1998 assassination of a newspaper editor signify an attempt to defuse chronic areas of dissatisfactionbicameral; consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee des Deputes Populaires (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the purely consultative Chamber of Representations or Chambre des Representants (178 seats; members are appointed to serve three-year terms) National Assembly election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDP 101, PDP 6, RDA 2, ADF 2Supreme Court; Appeals CourtAfrican Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or RDA-ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Noyabtigungu Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO]Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or HBDHP; Group of 14 February; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communitiesACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Bruno ZIDOUEMBA 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-5577 [1] (202) 667-1882 Ambassador Jimmy J. KOLKER 602 Avenue Raoul Follerau, Koulouba, Secteur 4, Ouagadougou B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01 [226] 306723 [226] 303890two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Burkina Faso EconomyOne of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has a high population density, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. About 90% of the population is engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture which is highly vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and economic growth have increased. Maintenance of its macroeconomic progress in 2001-02 depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit, and reforms designed to encourage private investment.purchasing power parity - $12 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)26%27%47% (1998)NA%2.2%39.5% (1994)1.5% (2000 est.)5 million (1999) note- a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employmentagriculture 90% (2000 est.)NA%$277 million$492 million, including capital expenditures of $233 million (1995 est.)cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold4.2% (1995)285 million kWh (1999)71.93%28.07%0% 0% (1999)265.1 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock$220 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cotton, animal products, goldItaly 13%, France 10%, Indonesia 8%, Thailand 7% (1999)$610 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, food products, petroleumCote d Ivoire 30%, France 28%, Spain 3%, Benelux 3% (1999)$1.3 billion (1997)$484.1 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African StatesXOFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per eurocalendar year Burkina Faso Communications36,000 (1997)1,503 (1997) all services only fair microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communication stations satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 2, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)370,000 (1997)1 (1997)100,000 (1997).bf1 (2000)4,000 (2000)622 km (517 km from Ouagadougou to the Cote d Ivoire border and 105 km from Ouagadougou to Kaya)622 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)12,506 km2,001 km10,505 km (1996)nonenone33 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 31 3 12 16 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People s Militiamales age 15-49- 2,592,974 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,329,995 (2001 est.)$66 million (FY96)2% (FY96)international- noneBurmaDespite multiparty elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory, the military junta ruling the country refused to hand over power. Key opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG San Suu Kyi, under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, was again placed under house detention in September 2000; her supporters are routinely harassed or jailed.Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand22 00 N, 98 00 ESoutheast Asia678,500 sq km657,740 sq km20,760 sq kmslightly smaller than Texastotal- 5,876 kmBangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km1,930 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical 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)central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlandsAndaman Sea 0 mHkakabo Razi 5,881 mpetroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower15%1%1%49%34% (1993 est.)10,680 sq km (1993 est.)destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughtsdeforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to diseaseBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94none of the selected agreementsstrategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes41,994,678 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 29.14% (male 6,245,798; female 5,992,074) 66.08% (male 13,779,571; female 13,970,707) 4.78% (male 895,554; female 1,110,974) (2001 est.)0.6% (2001 est.)20.13 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.3 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)73.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 55.16 years 53.73 years 56.68 years (2001 est.)2.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.99% (1999 est.)530,000 (1999 est.)48,000 (1999 est.)Burmese (singular and plural)BurmeseBurman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Mon 2%, Indian 2%, other 5%Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages age 15 and over can read and write 83.1% 88.7% 77.7% (1995 est.) note- these are official statistics; estimates of functional literacy are likely closer to 30% (1999 est.)Union of BurmaBurmaPyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar)Myanma NaingngandawSocialist Republic of the Union of Burmamilitary regimeRangoon (regime refers to the capital as Yangon)7 divisions* (yin-mya, singular - yin) and 7 states (pyine-mya, singular - pyine); Chin State, Ayeyarwady*, Bago*, Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Magway*, Mandalay*, Mon State, Rakhine State, Sagaing*, Shan State, Tanintharyi*, Yangon*4 January 1948 (from UK)Independence Day, 4 January (1948)3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988); national convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft a new constitution; progress has since been stalledhas not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPrime Minister and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992); note - the prime minister is both the chief of state and head of governmentPrime Minister and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992); note - the prime minister is both the chief of state and head of governmentState Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta, so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council; the SPDC oversees the cabinet none; the prime minister assumed power upon resignation of the former prime ministerunicameral People s Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never convened percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NLD 392, SNLD 23, NUP 10, other 60remnants 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 executiveNational League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, chairman, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary]; National Unity Party or NUP (proregime) [THA KYAW]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [U KHUN TUN OO]; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (proregime, a social and political organization) [THAN AUNG, general secretary]; and other smaller partiesAll Burma Student Democratic Front or ABSDF; Kachin Independence Army or KIA; Karen National Union or KNU; National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB [Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals legitimately elected to the People s Assembly but not recognized by the military regime; the group fled to a border area and joined with insurgents in December 1990 to form a parallel government; several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or UWSAARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador-designate U LINN MYAING 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-9044 [1] (202) 332-9046 New York Permanent Charge d Affaires Priscilla A. CLAPP 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521) Box B, APO AP 96546 [95] (1) 282055, 282182 [95] (1) 280409red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14 administrative divisions Burma EconomyBurma has a mixed economy with private activity dominant in agriculture, light industry, and transport, and with substantial state-controlled activity, mainly in energy, heavy industry, and the rice trade. Government policy in the 1990s has aimed at revitalizing the economy after three decades of tight central planning. Private activity markedly increased in the early to mid-1990s, but began to decline in the past several years due to frustrations with the unfriendly business environment and political pressure from western nations. Published estimates of Burma s foreign trade are greatly understated because of the volume of black-market, illicit, and border trade. A major ongoing problem is the failure to achieve monetary and fiscal stability. Burma remains a poor Asian country and living standards for the majority have not improved over the past decade. Short-term growth will continue to be restrained because of poor government planning and minimal foreign investment.purchasing power parity - $63.7 billion (2000 est.)4.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2000 est.)42%17%41% (2000 est.)23% (1997 est.)2.8%32.4% (1998)18% (1999)19.7 million (FY98/99 est.)agriculture 65%, industry 10%, services 25% (1999 est.)7.1% (official FY97/98 est.)$7.9 billion$12.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.7 billion (FY96/97)agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizerNA%4.813 billion kWh (1999)68.56%31.44%0% 0% (1999)4.476 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)paddy rice, corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; hardwood$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1999)apparel 36%, foodstuffs 22%, wood products 21%, precious stones 5% (1999)India 13%, Singapore 11%, China 11%, US 8% (1999 est.) note- official trade statistics do not include trade in illicit goods - such as narcotics, teak, and gems - or the largely unrecorded border trade with China and Thailand$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999)machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, food productsSingapore 28%, Thailand 12%, China 10%, Japan 10%, South Korea 9% (1999 est.)$6 billion (FY99/00 est.)$99 million (FY98/99)kyat (MMK)MMKkyats per US dollar - official rate - 6.5972 (January 2001), 6.5167 (2000), 6.2858 (1999), 6.3432 (1998), 6.2418 (1997), 5.9176 (1996); kyats per US dollar - black market exchange rate - 435 (yearend 2000)1 April - 31 March Burma Communications250,000 (2000)8,492 (1997) meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for business and government; international service is good NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1998)4.2 million (1997)2 (1998)320,000 (2000).mm1 note- as of September 2000, Internet connections were legal only for the government, tourist offices, and a few large businesses (2000)500 (2000)3,991 km3,991 km 1.000-m gauge28,200 km3,440 km24,760 km (1996)12,800 km note- 3,200 km navigable by large commercial vesselscrude oil 1,343 km; natural gas 330 kmBassein, Bhamo, Chauk, Mandalay, Moulmein, Myitkyina, Rangoon, Akyab (Sittwe), Tavoy37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 411,181 GRT/632,769 DWTbulk 11, cargo 20, container 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 2 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Japan 2 (2000 est.)80 (2000 est.) 9 3 1 4 1 (2000 est.) 71 2 15 22 32 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 12,050,964 females age 15-49- 12,070,017 note- both sexes liable for military service (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 6,425,514 females age 15-49- 6,419,677 (2001 est.)males- 470,667 females- 479,691 (2001 est.)$39 million (FY97/98)2.1% (FY97/98)international- sporadic border hostilities with Thailand over border alignment and ethnic Shan rebels operating in cross-border regionworld s second largest producer of illicit opium, after Afghanistan (potential production in 1999 - 1,090 metric tons, down 38% due to drought; cultivation in 1999 - 89,500 hectares, a 31% decline from 1998); surrender of drug warlord KHUN SA s Mong Tai Army in January 1996 was hailed by Rangoon as a major counternarcotics success, but lack of government will and ability to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; becoming a major source of methamphetamine for regional consumptionBurundiBetween 1993 and 2000, wide-spread, often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions in Burundi created hundreds of thousands of refugees and left tens of thousands dead. Although some refugees have returned from neighboring countries, continued ethnic strife has forced many others to flee. Burundian troops, seeking to secure their borders, have intervened in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo3 30 S, 30 00 EAfrica27,830 sq km25,650 sq km2,180 sq kmslightly smaller than Marylandtotal- 974 kmDemocratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)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; wet seasons from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to Januaryhilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plainsLake Tanganyika 772 mMount Heha 2,670 mnickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower44%9%36%3%8% (1993 est.)140 sq km (1993 est.)flooding, landslides, droughtsoil 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 populationsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer ProtectionLaw of the Sea, Nuclear Test Banlandlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed6,223,897 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 46.82% (male 1,472,618; female 1,441,548) 50.37% (male 1,541,131; female 1,593,743) 2.81% (male 71,984; female 102,873) (2001 est.)2.38% (2001 est.)40.13 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)16.36 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)70.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 46.06 years 45.15 years 46.99 years (2001 est.)6.16 children born/woman (2001 est.)11.32% (1999 est.)360,000 (1999 est.)39,000 (1999 est.)Burundian(s)BurundiHutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) age 15 and over can read and write 35.3% 49.3% 22.5% (1995 est.)Republic of BurundiBurundiRepublika y u BurundiBurundiUrundirepublicBujumbura16 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)Independence Day, 1 July (1962)13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political system; supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidentsbased on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNA years of age; universal adultnone (landlocked)President Pierre BUYOYA (interim president since 27 September 1996, officially sworn in 11 June 1998), First Vice President Frederic BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA June 1998), Second Vice President Mathias SINAMENYE (since NA June 1998); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentPresident Pierre BUYOYA (interim president since 27 September 1996, officially sworn in 11 June 1998), First Vice President Frederic BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA June 1998), Second Vice President Mathias SINAMENYE (since NA June 1998); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by president NA; current president assumed power following a coup on 25 July 1996 in which former President NTIBANTUNGANYA was overthrownunicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (121 seats; note - new Transitional Constitution expanded the number of seats from 81 to 121 in 1998; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms) last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in 1998, but suspended by presidential decree in 1996) percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71.04%, UPRONA 21.4%, other 7.56%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16, various other parties 40Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal (there are three in separate locations); Tribunals of First Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local tribunals)Two national, mainstream governing parties are- Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Luc RUKINGAMA, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president] note- A multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are- Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA [Terrence NSANZE]; Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or RADDES [Joseph NZENZIMANA]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]; People s Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA]Loosely organized Tutsi militias, often affiliated with Tutsi extremist partiesACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Thomas NDIKUMANA Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 342-2574 [1] (202) 342-2578 Ambassador Mary Carlin YATES Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura B. P. 1720, Bujumbura [257] 223454 [257] 222926divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Burundi EconomyBurundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Its economic health depends on the coffee crop, which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports therefore rests largely on the vagaries of the climate and the international coffee market. Since October 1993 the nation has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence which has resulted in the death of perhaps 250,000 persons and the displacement of about 800,000 others. Only one in four children go to school, and one in nine adults has HIV/AIDS. Foods, medicines, and electricity remain in short supply.purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (2000 est.)1.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $720 (2000 est.)50%18%32% (1999 est.)36.2% (1990 est.)3.4%26.6% (1992)22% (2000 est.)1.9 millionNANA%$125 million$176 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing6.3% (1999 est.)141 million kWh (1999)0.71%99.29%0% 0% (1999)160.1 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)29 million kWh note- supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1999)coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides$32 million (f.o.b., 2000)coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hidesGermany 17%, Belgium 14%, US 8%, France 6%, Switzerland 4% (1999)$110 million (f.o.b., 2000)capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffsBelgium 20%, Zambia 11%, Kenya 8%, South Africa 5%, France 4% (1999)$1.12 billion (1999 est.)$1.344 billion (1999 est.)Burundi franc (BIF)BIFBurundi francs per US dollar - 782.36 (January 2001), 720.67 (2000), 563.56 (1999), 477.77 (1998), 352.35 (1997), 302.75 (1996)calendar year Burundi Communications16,000 (1997)619 (1997) primitive system sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)440,000 (1997)1 (1999)25,000 (1997).bi1 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km14,480 km1,028 km13,452 km (1996)Lake TanganyikaBujumbura4 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 3 (2000 est.)Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary Gendarmerie16 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,394,273 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 728,326 (2001 est.)males- 79,360 (2001 est.)$57 million (FY97)6.1% (FY97)international- noneCambodiaFollowing a five-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns; over 1 million displaced people died from execution or enforced hardships. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside and touched off 13 years of fighting. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy, as did the rapid diminishment of the Khmer Rouge in the mid-1990s. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces.Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos13 00 N, 105 00 ESoutheast Asia181,040 sq km176,520 sq km4,520 sq kmslightly smaller than Oklahomatotal- 2,572 kmLaos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km443 km24 NM200 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variationmostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and northGulf of Thailand 0 mPhnum Aoral 1,810 mtimber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential13%0%11%66%10% (1993 est.)920 sq km (1993 est.)monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughtsillegal 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, a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; toxic waste delivery from Taiwan sparked unrest in Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) in December 1998Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsLaw of the Sea, Marine Dumpinga land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap12,491,501 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 41.25% (male 2,626,821; female 2,526,510) 55.28% (male 3,253,611; female 3,651,129) 3.47% (male 177,577; female 255,853) (2001 est.)2.25% (2001 est.)33.16 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)65.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 56.82 years 54.62 years 59.12 years (2001 est.)4.74 children born/woman (2001 est.)4.04% (1999 est.)220,000 (1999 est.)14,000 (1999 est.)Cambodian(s)CambodianKhmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%Khmer (official) 95%, French, English age 15 and over can read and write 35% 48% 22% (1990 est.)Kingdom of CambodiaCambodiaPreahreacheanachakr KampucheaKampucheaKhmer Republic, Kampuchea Republicmultiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993Phnom Penh20 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pailin*, Phnum Penh*, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu* (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev9 November 1953 (from France)Independence Day, 9 November (1953)promulgated 21 September 1993primarily 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 in recent years18 years of age; universalKing Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993)Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 30 November 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council; prime minister appointed by the monarch after a vote of confidence by the National Assemblybicameral consists of the National Assembly (122 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; two members appointed by the monarch, two elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by "functional constituencies"; members serve five-year terms National Assembly - last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); Senate - last held 2 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 41%, FUNCINPEC 32%, SRP 14%, other 13%; seats by party - CPP 64, FUNCINPEC 43, SRP 15; Senate - seats by party - CPP 31, FUNCINPEC 21, SRP 7Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authorityBuddhist Liberal Party or BLP [IENG MOULY]; Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People s Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Khmer Citizen Party or KCP [NGUON SOEUR]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP (formerly Khmer Nation Party or KNP) [SAM RANGSI]NAACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Roland ENG 4500 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-7742 [1] (202) 726-8381 Ambassador Kent M. WIEDEMANN 16-18 Mongkol lem St. 228, Phnom Penh Box P, APO AP 96546 [855] (23) 216-436 [855] (23) 216-437three 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 Cambodia EconomyCambodia s economy slowed dramatically in 1997-98 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment and tourism fell off. In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms and growth resumed at 4%. GDP growth for 2000 had been projected to reach 5.5%, but the worst flooding in 70 years severely damaged agricultural crops, and high oil prices hurt industrial production, and growth for the year is estimated at only 4%. Tourism is Cambodia s fastest growing industry, with arrivals up 34% in 2000. The long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. Fear of renewed political instability and corruption within the government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid. On the brighter side, the government is addressing these issues with assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors.purchasing power parity - $16.1 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2000 est.)43%20%37% (1998 est.)36% (1997 est.)2.9%33.8% (1997)1.6% (2000 est.)6 million (1998 est.)agriculture 80% (1999 est.)2.8% (1999 est.)$363 million$532 million, including capital expenditures of $225 million (2000 est.)garments, tourism, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textilesNA%147 million kWh (1999)59.18%40.82%0% 0% (1999)136.7 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, rubber, corn, vegetables$942 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)timber, garments, rubber, rice, fishVietnam 18%, Thailand 15%, US 10%, Singapore 8%, China 5% (1997)$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cigarettes, gold, construction materials, petroleum products, machinery, motor vehiclesThailand 16%, Vietnam 9%, Japan 7%, Hong Kong 5%, China 5% (1997)$829 million (1999 est.)$548 million pledged in grants and concessional loans for 2001 by international donorsriel (KHR)KHRriels per US dollar - 3,909.0 (January 2001), 3,840.8 (2000), 3,807.8 (1999), 3,744.4 (1998), 2,946.3 (1997), 2,624.1 (1996)calendar year Cambodia Communications21,800 (mid-1998)80,000 (2000) adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; rural areas have little telephone service NA 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)AM 7, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1999)1.34 million (1997)5 (1999)94,000 (1997).kh2 (2000)NA603 km603 km 1.000-m gauge35,769 km4,165 km31,604 km (1997)3,700 km note- navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 mKampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong, Phnom Penh295 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,305,932 GRT/1,853,487 DWTbulk 22, cargo 237, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 3, container 8, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 5, short-sea passenger 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Cyprus 3, South Korea 1, Malta 1, Panama 1, Russia 1, Singapore 1 (2000 est.)19 (2000 est.) 6 2 2 2 (2000 est.) 13 2 11 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.)Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), including Army, Navy, and Air Force - created in 1993 by the merger of the Cambodian People s Armed Forces and the two noncommunist resistance armies note- Khmer Rouge and royalist insurgent forces were integrated into the RCAF in 199918 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,877,137 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,610,761 (2001 est.)males- 162,643 (2001 est.)$112 million (FY01 est.)3% (FY01 est.)international- portions of boundary with Vietnam are disputed; parts of border with Thailand are indefinitepossible money laundering; narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for the international marketCameroonThe 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 movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria6 00 N, 12 00 EAfrica475,440 sq km469,440 sq km6,000 sq kmslightly larger than Californiatotal- 4,591 kmCentral African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km402 km50 NMvaries with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in northdiverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in northAtlantic Ocean 0 mFako 4,095 mpetroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower13%2%4%78%3% (1993 est.)210 sq km (1993 est.)recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gaseswater-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94Nuclear Test Bansometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa15,803,220 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 42.37% (male 3,385,898; female 3,310,504) 54.28% (male 4,305,354; female 4,271,958) 3.35% (male 244,419; female 285,087) (2001 est.)2.41% (2001 est.)36.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)11.99 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)69.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 54.59 years 53.76 years 55.44 years (2001 est.)4.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)7.73% (1999 est.)540,000 (1999 est.)52,000 (1999 est.)Cameroonian(s)CameroonianCameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) age 15 and over can read and write 63.4% 75% 52.1% (1995 est.)Republic of CameroonCameroonFrench Cameroonunitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990) note- preponderance of power remains with the presidentYaounde10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)Republic Day, 20 May (1972)20 May 1972 approved by referendum; 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction20 years of age; universalPresident Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)Prime Minister Peter Mafany MUSONGE (since 19 September 1996)Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the Prime Minister president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 12 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister appointed by the president President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 92.6%; note - supporters of the opposition candidates boycotted the elections, making a comparison of vote shares relatively meaninglessunicameral 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) last held 17 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RDCP 109, SDF 43, UNDP 13, UDC 5, UPC-K 1, MDR 1, MLJC 1; note - results from 7 contested seats were cancelled by the Supreme Court, further elections on 3 August 1997 gave these seats to the RDPC note- the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be establishedSupreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and 6 substitute judges, elected by the National Assembly)Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People or RDCP [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [leader NA]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MLJC [Marcel YONDO]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA, chairman]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Cameroonian Populations has two sections UPC-N [Ndeh NTUMAZAH] and UPC-K [Augustin Frederic KODOCK]Cameroon Anglophone Movement or CAM [Vishe FAI, secretary general]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Nfor Ngala NFOR, acting]ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, C, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-8790 [1] (202) 387-3826 Ambassador John M. YATES Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch- American Embassy, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 [237] 23-40-14, 22-25-89, 23-05-12, 22-17-94 [237] 23-07-53 branch office(s)- Doualathree equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Cameroon EconomyBecause of its 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 a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. 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. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency and privatization. Higher oil prices in 2000 helped to offset the country s lower cocoa export revenues. A rebound in the cocoa market should increase growth to over 5% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $26 billion (2000 est.)4.4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)43.4%20.1%36.5% (1999 est.)48% (2000 est.)NA%NA%2% (2000 est.)NAagriculture 70%, industry and commerce 13%, other 17%30% (1998 est.)$2.1 billion$2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.)petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber4.2% (1999 est.)3.47 billion kWh (1999)2.59%97.41%0% 0% (1999)3.227 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cottonItaly 24%, France 18%, Netherlands 10% (2000 est.)$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machines and electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, foodFrance 29%, Germany 7%, US 6%, Japan 6% (2000 est.)$10.9 billion (2000 est.)on 23 January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce Cameroon s debt of $1.3 billion by $900 million; total debt relief now amounts to $1.26 billionCommunaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African StatesXAFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro1 July - 30 June Cameroon Communications75,000 (1997)4,200 (1997) available only to business and government cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 11, FM 8, shortwave 3 (1998)2.27 million (1997)1 (1998)450,000 (1997).cm1 (2000)20,000 (2000)1,104 km1,104 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)34,300 km4,288 km30,012 km (1995)2,090 km (of decreasing importance)Bonaberi, Douala, Garoua, Kribi, Tiko49 (2000 est.) 11 2 4 3 1 1 (2000 est.) 38 7 21 10 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard18 years of agemales age 15-49- 3,762,369 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,903,149 (2001 est.)males- 174,308 (2001 est.)$118.6 million (FY00/01)1.4% (FY98/99)international- delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is complete and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; tripartite maritime boundary and economic zone dispute with Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria is currently before the ICJCanadaA 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. Its paramount political problem continues to be the relationship of the province of Quebec, with its French-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder of the country.Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US60 00 N, 95 00 WNorth America9,976,140 sq km9,220,970 sq km755,170 sq kmslightly larger than the UStotal- 8,893 kmUS 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)243,791 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMvaries from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in northmostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeastAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Logan 5,959 miron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower5%0%3%54%38% (1993 est.)7,100 sq km (1993 est.)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 snowair 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 activitiesAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsAir Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservationsecond-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US/Canada border31,592,805 (July 2001 est.) 18.95% (male 3,067,102; female 2,918,839) 68.28% (male 10,846,151; female 10,725,800) 12.77% (male 1,715,071; female 2,319,842) (2001 est.)0.99% (2001 est.)11.21 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.47 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.56 years 76.16 years 83.13 years (2001 est.)1.6 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.3% (1999 est.)49,000 (1999 est.)400 (1999 est.)Canadian(s)CanadianBritish Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26%Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 40%, other 18%English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5% age 15 and over can read and write 97% (1986 est.) NA% NA%noneCanadaconfederation with parliamentary democracyOttawa10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*1 July 1867 (from UK)Independence Day/Canada Day, 1 July (1867)17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customsbased on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON (since 7 October 1999)Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993)Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament none; the monarch 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 in the House of Commons is automatically designated by the governor general to become prime ministerbicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (a body whose members are appointed to serve until reaching 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (301 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) House of Commons - last held 27 November 2000 (next to be held 2005) percent of vote by party as of January 2001 - Liberal Party 42%, Canadian Alliance 22%, Bloc Quebecois 13%, New Democratic Party 4%, Progressive Conservative Party 4%; seats by party as of January 2001 - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12Supreme 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)Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Canadian Alliance [Stockwell DAY]; Liberal Party [Jean CHRETIEN]; New Democratic Party [Alexa MCDONOUGH]; Progressive Conservative Party [Joe CLARK]NAABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Michael KERGIN 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 [1] (202) 682-1740 [1] (202) 682-7726 Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle consulate(s)- Miami, Princeton, San Francisco, and San Jose Ambassador Gordon D. GIFFIN 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 [1] (613) 238-5720 Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouverthree vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band Canada EconomyAs an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high 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. Real rates of growth have averaged nearly 3.0% since 1993. Unemployment is falling and government budget surpluses are being partially devoted to reducing the large public sector debt. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which included Mexico) have touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Two shadows loom, the first being the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas, which has been raising the possibility of a split in the federation. Another long-term concern is the flow south to the US of professional persons lured by higher pay, lower taxes, and the immense high-tech infrastructure.purchasing power parity - $774.7 billion (2000 est.)4.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $24,800 (2000 est.)3%31%66% (2000 est.)NA%2.8%23.8% (1994)2.6% (2000)16.1 million (2000)services 74%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, other 3% (2000)6.8% (2000 est.)$126.1 billion$125.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.8 billion (2000)processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas4.5% (2000 est.)567.193 billion kWh (1999)26.38%60%12.31% 1.31% (1999)497.532 billion kWh (1999)42.911 billion kWh (1999)12.953 billion kWh (1999)wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish$272.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)motor vehicles and parts, newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, telecommunications equipment, electricityUS 86%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China (1999)$238.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electricityUS 76%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea (1999)$1.9 billion (2000) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.3 billion (1999)Canadian dollar (CAD)CADCanadian dollars per US dollar - 1.5032 (January 2001), 1.4851 (2000), 1.4857 (1999), 1.4835 (1998), 1.3846 (1997), 1.3635 (1996)1 April - 31 March Canada Communications18.5 million (1999)4.207 million (1997) excellent service provided by modern technology domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)AM 535, FM 53, shortwave 6 (1998)32.3 million (1997)80 (plus many repeaters) (1997)21.5 million (1997).ca760 (2000 est.)13.28 million (1999)36,114 km; note - there are two major transcontinental freight railway systems- Canadian National (privatized November 1995) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided by government-operated firm VIA, which has no trackage of its own36,114 km 1.435-m gauge (156 km electrified) (1998)901,902 km318,371 km (including 16,571 km of expressways)583,531 km (1999)3,000 km (including Saint Lawrence Seaway)crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 kmBecancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, New Westminster, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St. John s (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney, Trois-Rivieres, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,767,259 GRT/2,633,290 DWTbarge carrier 1, bulk 67, cargo 13, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 17, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)1,417 (2000 est.) 517 18 15 151 244 89 (2000 est.) 900 74 362 464 (2000 est.)18 (2000 est.)Canadian Forces (includes Land Forces Command or LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, Communications Command or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)17 years of agemales age 15-49- 8,325,084 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 7,114,851 (2001 est.)males- 215,627 (2001 est.)$7.5 billion (FY00/01)1.3% (FY00/01)international- maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island)illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US marketCape VerdeThe uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves. Most Cape Verdeans descend from both groups. Independence was achieved in 1975.Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal16 00 N, 24 00 WWorld4,033 sq km4,033 sq km0 sq kmslightly larger than Rhode Island0 km965 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines24 NM200 NM12 NMtemperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erraticsteep, rugged, rocky, volcanicAtlantic Ocean 0 mMt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)salt, basalt rock, pozzuolana (a siliceous volcanic ash used to produce hydraulic cement), limestone, kaolin, fish11%0%6%0%83% (1993 est.)1,500 to 2,000 hectares (1999)prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically activeovergrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; overfishingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumpingnone of the selected agreementsstrategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site405,163 (July 2001 est.) 42.79% (male 87,458; female 85,895) 50.76% (male 97,812; female 107,834) 6.45% (male 10,204; female 15,960) (2001 est.)0.92% (2001 est.)28.71 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-12.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)53.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.21 years 65.93 years 72.6 years (2001 est.)4.05 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANACape Verdean(s)Cape VerdeanCreole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) age 15 and over can read and write 71.6% 81.4% 63.8% (1995 est.)Republic of Cape VerdeCape VerdeRepublica de Cabo VerdeCabo VerderepublicPraia14 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal; note - there may be a new administrative structure of 16 districts (Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Nicolau, Sao Filipe, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal)5 July 1975 (from Portugal)Independence Day, 5 July (1975)new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the presidentderived from the legal system of Portugal18 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesPresident Pedro PIRES (since 22 March 2001)Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 1991)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister from among the members of the National Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note- the election was won by only twelve votesunicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005) percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%, ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de JustiaAfrican Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Antonio Gualberto do ROSARIO, president]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Dr. Oresimo SILVEIRA, president]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president]; Union for an Independent Democratic Cape Verde or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO, president]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTAET, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Ferdinand Amilcar Spencer LOPES 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 965-6820 [1] (202) 965-1207 Boston Ambassador Michael D. METELITS Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia C. P. 201, Praia [238] 61 56 16 [238] 61 13 55three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands Cape Verde EconomyCape Verde s low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for almost 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of agriculture in GDP in 1998 was only 13%, of which fishing accounts for 1.5%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances constitute a supplement to GDP of more than 20%. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 2001 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government s development program.purchasing power parity - $670 million (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)13%19%68% (1998)NA%NA%NA%4% (2000)NA24% (1999 est.)$188 million$228 million, including capital expenditures of $116 million (1996)food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repairNA%40 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)37.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish$40 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)fuel, shoes, garments, fish, bananas, hidesPortugal, UK, Germany, Spain, France, Malaysia$250 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuelsPortugal, Netherlands, France, UK, Spain, US$260 million (2000)$111.3 million (1995)Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)CVECape Verdean escudos per US dollar - 123.080 (December 2000), 115.877 (2000), 102.700 (1999), 98.158 (1998), 93.177 (1997), 82.591 (1996)calendar year Cape Verde Communications45,644 (2000)19,729 (1997) effective system, being improved interisland microwave radio relay system with both analog and digital exchanges; work is in progress on a submarine fiber-optic cable system which was scheduled for completion in 1998 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 0, FM 11 (and 14 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998)73,000 (1997)1 (1997)2,000 (1997).cv1 (2000)5,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,100 km858 km242 km (1996)noneMindelo, Praia, Tarrafal5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,523 GRT/11,798 DWTcargo 4, chemical tanker 1 (2000 est.)8 (2000) 8 1 7 (2000)Army, Coast Guard/Marinesmales age 15-49- 89,543 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 50,615 (2001 est.)$4 million (FY96)1.8% (FY96)international- noneused as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western EuropeCayman IslandsThe Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica from 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent.Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras19 30 N, 80 30 WCentral America and the Caribbean259 sq km259 sq km0 sq km1.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km160 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMtropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefsCaribbean Sea 0 mThe Bluff 43 mfish, climate and beaches that foster tourism0%0%8%23%69% (1993 est.)NA sq kmhurricanes (July to November)no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchmentimportant location between Cuba and Central America35,527 (July 2001 est.) 22.21% (male 3,807; female 4,084) 69.74% (male 12,102; female 12,676) 8.05% (male 1,318; female 1,540) (2001 est.)2.12% (2001 est.)13.79 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.15 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US 0.86 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)10.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.03 years 76.24 years 81.43 years (2001 est.)2.04 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANACaymanian(s)Caymanianmixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other ProtestantEnglish age 15 and over has ever attended school 98% 98% 98% (1970 est.)noneCayman Islandsoverseas territory of the UKBritish crown colonyGeorge Town8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Westernnone (overseas territory of the UK)Constitution Day, first Monday in July1959, revised 1972 and 1992British common law and local statutes18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor and President of the Executive Council Peter SMITH (since 5 May 1999)Kurt TIBBETTS (since November 2000)Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarchunicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) percent of vote - NA%; seats - NASummary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appealthere are no formal political parties but the following loose groupings act as political organizations; National Team; Democratic Alliance; Team CaymanNACaricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate)blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS Cayman Islands EconomyWith no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1997, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. 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 1.2 million visitors in 1997. 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.purchasing power parity - $930 million (1997 est.)4.9% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $24,500 (1997 est.)1.4%3.2%95.4% (1994 est.)NA%NA%NA%3% (1998)19,820 (1995)agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995)4.1% (1997)$265.2 million$248.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furnitureNA%330 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)306.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming$1.5 million (1998)turtle products, manufactured consumer goodsmostly US$507.6 million (1998)foodstuffs, manufactured goodsUS, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan$70 million (1996)$NACaymanian dollar (KYD)KYDCaymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)1 April - 31 March Cayman Islands Communications19,000 (1995)2,534 (1995) NA NA 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)36,000 (1997)NA7,000 (1997).ky16 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km406 km304 km102 kmnoneCayman Brac, George Town106 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,656,452 GRT/2,643,036 DWTbulk 21, cargo 5, chemical tanker 27, container 4, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 13, refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Cyprus 2, Denmark 2, Finland 1, Greece 11, Norway 3, UK 3, US 3 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- nonevulnerable to drug money laundering and drug transshipment to the US and EuropeCentral African RepublicThe 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 - a civilian government was installed in 1993.Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo7 00 N, 21 00 EAfrica622,984 sq km622,984 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Texastotal- 5,203 kmCameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summersvast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwestOubangui River 335 mMont Ngaoui 1,420 mdiamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower3%0%5%75%17% (1993 est.)NA sq kmhot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are commontap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94Law of the Sealandlocked; almost the precise center of Africa3,576,884 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 43.23% (male 778,885; female 767,414) 53% (male 929,717; female 965,947) 3.77% (male 59,364; female 75,557) (2001 est.)1.85% (2001 est.)37.05 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)18.53 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)105.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 43.8 years 42.17 years 45.48 years (2001 est.)4.86 children born/woman (2001 est.)13.84% (1999 est.)240,000 (1999 est.)23,000 (1999 est.)Central African(s)Central AfricanBaya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 1,500 French)indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11% note- animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majorityFrench (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili age 15 and over can read and write 60% 68.5% 52.4% (1995 est.)Central African RepublicnoneRepublique CentrafricainenoneUbangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation- CARrepublicBangui14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga13 August 1960 (from France)Republic Day, 1 December (1958)passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995based on French law21 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Ange-Felix PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)Prime Minister Martin ZIGUELE (since 1 April 2001)Council of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 19 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Ange-Felix PATASSE reelected president; percent of vote - Ange-Felix PATASSE 51.63%, Andre KOLINGBA 19.38%, David DACKO 11.15%unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election) last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7 note- the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they are called the Congress or CongresSupreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (all judges appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; Criminal CourtsAlliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Francois PEHOUA]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People s Union for the Republic or UPR [leader NA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-7800 [1] (202) 332-9893 Ambassador Robert C. PERRY Avenue David Dacko, Bangui B. P. 924, Bangui [236] 61 02 00 [236] 61 44 94four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band Central African Republic EconomySubsistence 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 half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for nearly 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR s landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR s economy. Diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. Military rebellions and social unrest in 1996 were accompanied by widespread destruction of property and a drop in GDP of 2%. The IMF approved an Extended Structure Adjustment Facility in 1998 and the World Bank extended further credits in 1999 and approved a $10 million loan in early 2001. The government has set targets of 3.5% GDP growth in 2001 and 2002. As of January 2001, many civil servants were owed as much as 30 months pay, leading them to go on strike and further damaging the economy.purchasing power parity - $6.1 billion (2000 est.)3.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)53%20%27% (1999 est.)NA%0.7%47.7% (1993)3% (2000 est.)NA6% (1993)$638 million$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $888 million (1994 est.)diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcyclesNA%102 million kWh (1999)20.59%79.41%0% 0% (1999)94.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber$166 million (f.o.b., 2000)diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobaccoBenelux 64%, Cote d Ivoire, Spain, China, Egypt, France (1999)$154 million (f.o.b., 2000)food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial productsFrance 35%, Cameroon 13%, Benelux, Cote d Ivoire, Germany, Japan (1999)$790 million (1999 est.)$172.2 million (1995); note - traditional budget subsidies from FranceCommunaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African StatesXAFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per eurocalendar year Central African Republic Communications10,000 (1997)570 (1997) fair system network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)283,000 (1997)NA18,000 (1997).cf1 (2000)1,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km23,810 km429 km23,381 km (2000)900 km note- traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river, navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 mBangui, Nola52 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.) 49 1 10 23 15 (2000 est.)Central African Armed Forces (includes Army, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, Police Force)males age 15-49- 824,139 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 430,922 (2001 est.)$29 million (FY96)2.2% (FY96)international- noneChadChad, part of France s African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military groups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multiparty presidential and National Assembly elections in 1996 and 1997 respectively. In 1998 a new rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which continued to escalate throughout 2000. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remains in the hands of a northern ethnic oligarchy.Central Africa, south of Libya15 00 N, 19 00 EAfrica1.284 million sq km1,259,200 sq km24,800 sq kmslightly more than three times the size of Californiatotal- 5,968 kmCameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical in south, desert in northbroad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in southDjourab Depression 160 mEmi Koussi 3,415 mpetroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)3%0%36%26%35% (1993 est.)140 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plaguesinadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsLaw of the Sea, Marine Dumpinglandlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel8,707,078 (July 2001 est.) 47.73% (male 2,091,724; female 2,064,514) 49.46% (male 2,035,099; female 2,271,389) 2.81% (male 101,579; female 142,773) (2001 est.)3.29% (2001 est.)48.28 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)15.4 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)95.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 50.88 years 48.86 years 52.98 years (2001 est.)6.56 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.69% (1999 est.)92,000 (1999 est.)10,000 (1999 est.)Chadian(s)ChadianMuslims, commonly referred to as "northerners" or "gorane" (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba); non-Muslims, commonly referred to as "southerners" (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa) including nonindigenous 150,000 (of whom 1,000 are French) note- ethnicity and regional background more commonly used to identify Chadians than religious affiliationMuslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs (mostly animism) 25%French (official), Arabic (official), Sara and Sango (in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic 48.1% 62.1% 34.7% (1995 est.)Republic of ChadChadRepublique du TchadTchadrepublicN Djamena14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile11 August 1960 (from France)Independence Day, 11 August (1960)passed by referendum 31 March 1995based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December 1990)Prime Minister Nagoum YAMASSOUM (since 13 December 1999)Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister 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 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, Saleh KEBZABO 7% note- government coalition - MPS, UNDR, and URDunicameral National Assembly (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); replaces the Higher Transitional Council or the Conseil Superieur de Transition National Assembly - last held in two rounds on 5 January and 23 February 1997 (next to be held in late 2001); in the first round of voting some candidates won clear victories by receiving 50% or more of the vote; where that did not happen, the two highest scoring candidates stood for a second round of voting percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPS 65, URD 29, UNDR 15, RDP 3, others 13Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate CourtsNational Union for Development and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman] (originally in opposition but now the party in power and the party of the president); Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lal Mahamat CHOUA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Hassaballah Abdelhadi Ahmat SOUBIANE 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 462-4009 [1] (202) 265-1937 Ambassador Christopher E. GOLDTHWAIT Avenue Felix Eboue, N Djamena B. P. 413, N Djamena [235] (51) 70-09, (51) 90-52, (51) 92-33 [235] (51) 56-54three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; 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 Chad EconomyLandlocked Chad s economic development suffers from its geographic remoteness, drought, lack of infrastructure, and political turmoil. About 85% of the population depends on agriculture, including the herding of livestock. Of Africa s Francophone countries, Chad benefited least from the 50% devaluation of their currencies in January 1994. Financial aid from the World Bank, the African Development Fund, and other sources is directed largely at the improvement of agriculture, especially livestock production. The World Bank s decision to back the Doba oil field development and the Chad-Cameroon pipeline will add Chad to the group of already booming West African oil exporters. However, the rank and file may not benefit much from the oil development projects.purchasing power parity - $8.1 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)40%14%46% (1998)64% (1995 est.)NA%NA%3% (2000 est.)NAagriculture 85% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)NA%$198 million$218 million, including capital expenditures of $146 million (1998 est.)cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials5% (1995)90 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)83.7 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels$172 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cotton, cattle, textilesPortugal 38%, Germany 12%, Thailand, Costa Rica, South Africa, France (1999)$223 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textilesFrance 40%, Cameroon 13%, Nigeria 12%, India 5% (1999)$1 billion (1999 est.)$238.3 million (1995); note - $125 million committed by Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development BankCommunaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African StatesXAFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per eurocalendar year Chad Communications7,000 (1997)NA primitive system fair system of radiotelephone communication stations satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 5 (1998)1.67 million (1997)1 (1997)10,000 (1997).td1 (2000)1,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km33,400 km267 km33,133 km (1996)2,000 kmnone50 (2000 est.) 7 2 3 1 1 (2000 est.) 43 12 20 11 (2000 est.)Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Rapid Intervention Force, Police, Rural and Nomadic Guard (GNNT)20 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,814,578 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 949,997 (2001 est.)males- 82,003 (2001 est.)$39 million (FY96)3.5% (FY96)international- delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, has been completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and NigeriaChileA three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, which ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, first implemented by the PINOCHET dictatorship, led to unprecedented growth in 1991-97 and have helped secure the country s commitment to democratic and representative government. Growth slowed in 1998-99, but recovered strongly in 2000.Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru30 00 S, 71 00 WSouth America756,950 sq km748,800 sq km8,150 sq km note- includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomezslightly smaller than twice the size of Montanatotal- 6,171 kmArgentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km6,435 km24 NM200/350 NM200 NM12 NMtemperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in southlow coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in eastPacific Ocean 0 mNevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 mcopper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower5%0%18%22%55% (1993 est.)12,650 sq km (1993 est.)severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamisair pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewageAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Banstrategic 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 regions15,328,467 (July 2001 est.) 27.25% (male 2,135,755; female 2,041,552) 65.39% (male 4,993,416; female 5,029,739) 7.36% (male 467,477; female 660,528) (2001 est.)1.13% (2001 est.)16.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.55 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)9.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.94 years 72.63 years 79.42 years (2001 est.)2.16 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.19% (1999 est.)15,000 (1999 est.)1,000 (1999 est.)Chilean(s)Chileanwhite and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%Spanish age 15 and over can read and write 95.2% 95.4% 95% (1995 est.)Republic of ChileChileRepublica de ChileChilerepublicSantiago13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note- the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica18 September 1810 (from Spain)Independence Day, 18 September (1810)11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997based 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 jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2005) Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68%bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (48 seats, 38 elected by popular vote and 10 appointed (all former presidents who served 6 years are senators for life); members 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) Senate - last held 11 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD (PDC 14, PS 4, PPD 2), RN 7, UDI 10, UCCP 1, independents 10; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CPD 50.55% (PDC 22.98%, PS 11.10%, PPD 12.55%, PRSD 3.13%), RN 16.78%, UDI 14.43%; seats by party - CPD 70 (PDC 39, PPD 16, PRSD 4, PS 11), RN 24, UDI 21, Socialist Party 1, right-wing independents 4Supreme 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 by the 21-member court); Constitutional TribunalCenter-Center Union Party or UCCP [Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ]; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ricardo HORMAZABAL]; Coalition of Parties for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD - including PDC, PS, PPD, PRSD; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]; National Renewal or RN [Alberto CARDEMIL]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Guido GIRARDI]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Anselmo SULE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ricardo NUNEZ]revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country s five largest labor confederationsAPEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Andres BIANCHI 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 785-1746 [1] (202) 887-5579 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Ambassador John O LEARY Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago APO AA 34033 [56] (2) 232-2600 [56] (2) 339-3710two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center; design was based on the US flag Chile EconomyChile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. 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 lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession 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. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 5.5% in 2000. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, however, putting pressure on President LAGOS to improve living standards. Meanwhile, Chile has launched free trade negotiations with the US.purchasing power parity - $153.1 billion (2000 est.)5.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2000 est.)8%38%54% (2000)22% (1998 est.)1.2%41.3% (1998)4.5% (2000 est.)5.8 million (1999 est.)agriculture 14%, industry 27%, services 59% (1997 est.)9% (December 2000)$16 billion$17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles6% (2000 est.)38.092 billion kWh (1999)61%35%0% 4% (1999)35.426 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber$18 billion (f.o.b., 2000)copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicalsEU 27%, US 16%, Japan 14%, Brazil 6%, Argentina 5% (1998)$17 billion (f.o.b., 2000)consumer goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery, foodUS 24%, EU 23%, Argentina 11%, Brazil 6%, Japan 6%, Mexico 5% (1998)$39 billion (2000)ODA, $40 million (2001 est.)Chilean peso (CLP)CLPChilean pesos per US dollar - 571.12 (January 2001), 535.47 (2000), 508.78 (1999), 460.29 (1998), 419.30 (1997), 412.27 (1996)calendar year Chile Communications2.603 million (1998)944,225 (1998) modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998)5.18 million (1997)63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)3.15 million (1997).cl7 (2000)625,000 (2000)6,701 km broad gauge- 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1317 km electrified)117 km 1.067-m gauge (28 km electrified); 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2000)79,800 km11,012 km68,788 km (1996)725 kmcrude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 kmAntofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 606,506 GRT/884,023 DWTbulk 11, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 2 (2000 est.)366 (2000 est.) 69 6 6 22 21 14 (2000 est.) 297 1 4 11 62 219 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Naval Air, Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force, Carabineros of Chile (National Police), Investigations Police note- Carabineros and Investigations Police are normally administered by the Ministry of Interior, but in times of national emergency, they are considered part of the military19 years of agemales age 15-49- 4,057,466 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,003,134 (2001 est.)males- 136,830 (2001 est.)$2.5 billion (FY99)3.1% (FY99)international- Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claimsa growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; economic prosperity has made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is risingChinaFor centuries China has stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences. But in the first half of the 20th century, China was beset by major famines, civil unrest, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established a dictatorship that, while ensuring China s sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping gradually introduced market-oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision making. Output quadrupled in the next 20 years and China now has the world s second largest GDP. Political controls remain tight even while economic controls continue to weaken.Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam35 00 N, 105 00 EAsia9,596,960 sq km9,326,410 sq km270,550 sq kmslightly smaller than the UStotal- 22,147.24 kmAfghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia 4,676.9 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km14,500 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin12 NMextremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in northmostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in eastTurpan Pendi -154 mMount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.)coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world s largest)10%0%43%14%33% (1993 est.)498,720 sq km (1993 est.)frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughtsair 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 speciesAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservationworld s fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US)1,273,111,290 (July 2001 est.) 25.01% (male 166,754,893; female 151,598,117) 67.88% (male 445,222,858; female 418,959,646) 7.11% (male 42,547,296; female 48,028,480) (2001 est.)0.88% (2001 est.)15.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.09 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female (2001 est.)28.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.62 years 69.81 years 73.59 years (2001 est.)1.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.07% (1999 est.)500,000 (1999 est.)17,000 (1999 est.)Chinese (singular and plural)ChineseHan Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1% (est.) note- officially atheistStandard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) age 15 and over can read and write 81.5% 89.9% 72.7% (1995 est.)People s Republic of ChinaChinaZhonghua Renmin GongheguoZhong Guo abbreviation- PRCCommunist stateBeijing23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Chongqing**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang; note - China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or Ch ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People s Republic established 1 October 1949)Founding of the People s Republic of China, 1 October (1949)most recent promulgation 4 December 1982a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law18 years of age; universalPresident JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993) and Vice President HU Jintao (since 16 March 1998)Premier ZHU Rongji (since 18 March 1998); Vice Premiers QIAN Qichen (since 29 March 1993), LI Lanqing (29 March 1993), WU Bangguo (since 17 March 1995), and WEN Jiabao (since 18 March 1998)State Council appointed by the National People s Congress (NPC) president and vice president elected by the National People s Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 16-18 March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2003); premier nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People s Congress JIANG Zemin reelected president by the Ninth National People s Congress with a total of 2,882 votes (36 delegates voted against him, 29 abstained, and 32 did not vote); HU Jintao elected vice president by the Ninth National People s Congress with a total of 2,841 votes (67 delegates voted against him, 39 abstained, and 32 did not vote)unicameral National People s Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,979 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people s congresses to serve five-year terms) last held NA December 1997-NA February 1998 (next to be held late 2002-NA March 2003) percent of vote - NA%; seats - NASupreme People s Court (judges appointed by the National People s Congress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher, intermediate and local courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily military, maritime, and railway transport courts)Chinese Communist Party or CCP [JIANG Zemin, General Secretary of the Central Committee]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCPno substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the Falungong sect and the China Democracy Party as potential rivalsAfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer), ZC Ambassador-designate YANG Jiechi 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 328-2500 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Joseph W. PRUEHER Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 [86] (10) 6532-3431 [86] (10) 6532-6422 Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyangred with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner China EconomyIn late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy from a sluggish Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system. Whereas the system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic influence of non-state managers and enterprises has been steadily increasing. The authorities have switched to a system of household responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. In 2000, with its 1.26 billion people but a GDP of just $3,600 per capita, China stood as the second largest economy in the world after the US (measured on a purchasing power parity basis). Agricultural output doubled in the 1980s, and industry also posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. On the darker side, the leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. The government has struggled to (a) collect revenues due from provinces, businesses, and individuals; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises many of which had been shielded from competition by subsides and had been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 80 to 120 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China s population control program, which is essential to maintaining growth in living standards. Another long-term threat to continued rapid economic growth is the deterioration in the environment, notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. Weakness in the global economy in 2001 could hamper growth in exports. Beijing will intensify efforts to stimulate growth through spending on infrastructure--such as water control and power grids--and poverty relief and through rural tax reform aimed at eliminating arbitrary local levies on farmers.purchasing power parity - $4.5 trillion (2000 est.)8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.)15%50%35% (2000 est.)10% (1999 est.)2.4%30.4% (1998)0.4% (2000 est.)700 million (1998 est.)agriculture 50%, industry 24%, services 26% (1998)urban unemployment roughly 10%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (2000 est.)$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAiron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, food processing, automobiles, consumer electronics, telecommunications10% (2000 est.)1.173 trillion kWh (1999)79.82%18.98%1.2% 0.01% (1999)1.084 trillion kWh (1999)7.2 billion kWh (1999)90 million kWh (1999)rice, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish$232 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment; textiles and clothing, footwear, toys and sporting goods; mineral fuelsUS 21%, Hong Kong 18%, Japan 17%, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Taiwan (2000)$197 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, plastics, iron and steel, chemicalsJapan 18%, Taiwan 11%, US 10%, South Korea 10%, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Malaysia (2000)$162 billion (2000 est.)$NAyuan (CNY)CNYyuan per US dollar - 8.2776 (January 2001), 8.2785 (2000), 8.2783 (1999), 8.2790 (1998), 8.2898 (1997), 8.3142 (1996) note- beginning 1 January 1994, the People s Bank of China quotes the midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day s prevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange marketcalendar year China Communications135 million (2000)65 million (January 2001) domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place 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); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany (2000)AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998)417 million (1997)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)400 million (1997).cn3 (2000)22 million (January 2001)67,524 km (including 5,400 km of provincial "local" rails)63,924 km 1.435-m gauge (13,362 km electrified; 20,250 km double track)3,600 km 0.750-m and 1.000-m gauge local industrial lines (1998 est.) note- a new total of 68,000 km was estimated for early 1999 to take new construction programs into account (1999)1.4 million km271,300 km (with at least 16,000 km of expressways)1,128,700 km (1999)110,000 km (1999)crude oil 9,070 km; petroleum products 560 km; natural gas 9,383 km (1998)Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huangpu, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Xingang, Yantai, Zhanjiang1,745 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,533,521 GRT/24,746,859 DWTbarge carrier 2, bulk 324, cargo 825, chemical tanker 21, combination bulk 11, combination ore/oil 1, container 132, liquefied gas 24, multi-functional large-load carrier 5, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 45, petroleum tanker 258, refrigerated cargo 22, roll on/roll off 23, short-sea passenger 41, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 1 (2000 est.)489 (2000 est.) 324 27 88 147 30 32 (2000 est.) 165 1 1 29 56 78 (2000 est.)People s Liberation Army (PLA) - which includes Ground Forces, Navy (includes Marines and Naval Aviation), Air Force, Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missile force), People s Armed Police (internal security troops, nominally subordinate to Ministry of Public Security, but included by the Chinese as part of the "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA in wartime)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 366,306,353 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 200,886,946 (2001 est.)males- 10,089,458 (2001 est.)$12.608 billion (FY99); note - China s real defense spending may be several times higher than the official figure because a number of significant items are funded elsewhere1.2% (FY99)international- most of boundary with India in dispute; dispute over at least two small sections of the boundary with Russia remains to be settled, despite 1997 boundary agreement; portions of the boundary with Tajikistan are indefinite; 33-km section of boundary with North Korea in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; maritime boundary agreement with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin awaits ratification; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does Taiwanmajor transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for chemical precursors and methamphetamineChristmas IslandNamed in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. The phosphate mine, closed in 1987, was reopened four years later, but the need for an alternative industry has spurred investment in tourism. Old mining areas are being restored, and almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia10 30 S, 105 40 ESoutheast Asia135 sq km135 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC0 km138.9 km12 NM exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMtropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade windssteep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateauIndian Ocean 0 mMurray Hill 361 mphosphateNA%NA%NA%NA%NA% note- mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national parkNA sq kmthe narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazardNAlocated along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean2,771 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%7.77% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANAChristmas Islander(s)Christmas IslandChinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous populationBuddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)English, Chinese, MalayTerritory of Christmas IslandChristmas Islandterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and TerritoriesNAThe Settlementnone (territory of Australia)none (territory of Australia)NAChristmas Island Act of 1958under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian lawQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor generalAdministrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) elections- none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australiaunicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate s Courtnonenonenonethe flag of Australia is used Christmas Island EconomyPhosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993. As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the island.purchasing power parity - $NANA%purchasing power parity - $NANA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NAtourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995)NA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAtourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)NA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhNA$NAphosphateAustralia, NZ$NAconsumer goodsprincipally Australia$NA$NAAustralian dollar (AUD)AUDAustralian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)1 July - 30 June Christmas Island CommunicationsNA0 (1999) NA NA satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex serviceAM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)1,000 (1997)NA600 (1997).cx2 (2000)NA Railways- 24 km to serve phosphate mines140 km (not including 100 km that is maintained by private industry)30 km110 km (1999)noneFlying Fish Cove Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Australiainternational- noneClipperton IslandThis 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.Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico10 17 N, 109 13 WWorld7 sq km7 sq km0 sq kmabout 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km11.1 km200 NM12 NMtropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-Octobercoral atollPacific Ocean 0 mRocher Clipperton 29 mfish0%0%0%0%100% (all coral)0 sq km (1993)NANAreef about 8 km in circumferenceuninhabited (July 2001 est.)noneClipperton IslandnoneIle Clippertonsometimes called Ile de la Passionpossession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republicthe laws of France, where applicable, applythe flag of France is used Clipperton Island EconomyAlthough 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing.nonenone; offshore anchorage only Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- noneCocos (Keeling) IslandsThe islands were discovered in 1609, but remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands is split between the mostly Europeans on West Island and the Malays on Home Island.Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka12 30 S, 96 50 ESoutheast Asia14 sq km14 sq km0 sq km note- includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Islandabout 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km2.6 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMpleasant, modified by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfallflat, low-lying coral atollsIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location 5 mfish0%0%0%0%100% (1993 est.)NA sq kmcyclones may occur in the early months of the yearfresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirstwo coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation633 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%-0.21% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANACocos Islander(s)Cocos IslanderEuropeans, Cocos MalaysSunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)English, MalayTerritory of Cocos (Keeling) IslandsCocos (Keeling) Islandsterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and TerritoriesNAWest Islandnone (territory of Australia)none (territory of Australia)NACocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955based upon the laws of Australia and local lawsNAexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor generalAdministrator (non-resident) William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)NA none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australiaunicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (NA seats)Supreme Court; Magistrate s Courtnonenonenonethe flag of Australia is used Cocos (Keeling) Islands EconomyGrown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.purchasing power parity - $NANA%purchasing power parity - $NANA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NAthe Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAcopra products and tourismNA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhvegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts$NAcopraAustralia$NAfoodstuffsAustralia$NA$NAAustralian dollar (AUD)AUDAustralian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)1 July - 30 June Cocos (Keeling) Islands CommunicationsNA (1999)0 (1999) NA NA telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA typeAM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)300 (1992)0 (1997)NA.cc2 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km15 kmNA kmNA km (2001)nonenone; lagoon anchorage only Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Australiainternational- noneColombiaColombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. While Bogota continues to try to negotiate a settlement, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama4 00 N, 72 00 WSouth America, Central America and the Caribbean1,138,910 sq km1,038,700 sq km100,210 sq km note- includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bankslightly less than three times the size of Montanatotal- 6,004 kmBrazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlandsflat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plainsPacific Ocean 0 mPico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note- nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevationpetroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower4%1%39%48%8% (1993 est.)5,300 sq km (1993 est.)highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughtsdeforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissionsAntarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumpingonly South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea40,349,388 (July 2001 est.) 31.88% (male 6,507,282; female 6,354,454) 63.37% (male 12,452,182; female 13,117,707) 4.75% (male 859,967; female 1,057,796) (2001 est.)1.64% (2001 est.)22.41 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)23.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 70.57 years 66.71 years 74.55 years (2001 est.)2.66 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.31% (1999 est.)71,000 (1999 est.)1,700 (1999 est.)Colombian(s)Colombianmestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%Roman Catholic 90%Spanish age 15 and over can read and write 91.3% 91.2% 91.4% (1995 est.)Republic of ColombiaColombiaRepublica de ColombiaColombiarepublic; executive branch dominates government structureBogota32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Distrito Capital de Santa Fe de Bogota*, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada20 July 1810 (from Spain)Independence Day, 20 July (1810)5 July 1991based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL Lemus (since 7 August 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL Lemus (since 7 August 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties - the PL and PSC - and independents president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a new procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by newly elected presidents; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote, therefore, a run-off election to select a president from the two leading candidates was held 21 June 1998; Andres PASTRANA elected president; percent of vote - 50.3%; Gustavo BELL elected vice president; percent of vote - 50.3%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 (163 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 8 March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002); House of Representatives - last held 8 March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002) Senate - percent of vote by party - PL 50%, PSC 24%, smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 26%; seats by party - PL 58, PSC 28, smaller parties 16; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PL 52%, PSC 17%, other 31%; seats by party - PL 98, PSC 52, indigenous parties 2, others 11four, coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justical (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Higher Council of Justice (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; members of the disciplinary chamber resolve jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)Conservative Party or PSC [Ciro RAMIREZ Anzon]; Liberal Party or PL [Luis Guillermo VELEZ]; Patriotic Union or UP is a legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and Colombian Communist Party or PCC [Jaime CAICEDO]; 19 of April Movement or M-19 [Antonio NAVARRO Wolff]two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - National Liberation Army or ELN and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC; largest paramilitary group is United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUCBCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-8338 [1] (202) 232-8643 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC consulate(s)- Atlanta Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 Carrera 45 #22D-45, Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038 [57] (1) 315-0811 [57] (1) 315-2197three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Colombia EconomyColombia is poised for muted growth in the next several years, marking continued recovery from the severe 1999 recession when GDP fell by about 4%. President PASTRANA s well-respected economic team is working to keep the economy on track, maintaining low interest rates, for example. In accordance with its IMF loan agreement, the administration also is taking steps to improve the public sector s fiscal health. However, many challenges to improved prosperity remain. Unemployment was stuck at a record 20% in 2000, contributing to the extreme inequality in income distribution. Two of Colombia s leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertain future; new exploration is needed to offset declining oil production, while coffee harvests and prices are depressed. The lack of public security is a key concern for investors, making progress in the government s peace negotiations with insurgent groups an important driver of economic performance. Colombia is looking for continued support from the international community to boost economic and peace prospects.purchasing power parity - $250 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2000 est.)19%26%55% (1999 est.)55% (1999)1%44% (1999)9% (2000)18.3 million (1999 est.)services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)20% (2000 est.)$22 billion$24 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds11% (2000 est.)43.574 billion kWh (1999)22.27%76.19%0% 1.54% (1999)40.532 billion kWh (1999)27 million kWh (1999)35 million kWh (1999)coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp$14.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowersUS 50%, EU 14%, Andean Community of Nations 16%, Japan 2% (2000 est.)$12.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricityUS 35%, EU 16%, Andean Community of Nations 15%, Japan 5% (2000 est.)$34 billion (2000 est.)$40.7 million (1995)Colombian peso (COP)COPColombian pesos per US dollar - 2,241.43 (January 2001), 2087.90 (2000), 1,756.23 (1999), 1,426.04 (1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996)calendar year Colombia Communications5,433,565 (December 1997)1,800,229 (December 1998) modern system in many respects nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities satellite earth stations - 6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat; 3 fully digitalized international switching centers; 8 submarine cablesAM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999)21 million (1997)60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997)4.59 million (1997).co18 (2000)600,000 (2000)3,304 km150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines to maritime port at Bahia de Portete)3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (major sections not in use) (2000)110,000 km26,000 km84,000 km (2000)18,140 km (navigable by river boats) (April 1996)crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 kmBahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,322 GRT/69,444 DWTbulk 5, cargo 4, container 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 2 (2000 est.)1,091 (2000 est.) 92 2 8 38 36 8 (2000 est.) 999 1 64 321 613 (2000 est.)Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 10,779,148 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 7,205,211 (2001 est.)males- 379,295 (2001 est.)$3 billion (FY00)3.4% (FY00)international- maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bankillicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; world s leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 1999 - 122,500 hectares, a 20.3% increase over 1998); cultivation of opium in 1999 increased to 7,500 hectares from 6,100 hectares in 1998; potential production of opium in 1999 - 75 metric tons, a 25% increase over 1998; potential production of heroin in 1999 - nearly 8 metric tons, as compared with 6 tons in 1998; the world s largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of about 90% of the cocaine to the US and the great majority of cocaine to other international drug markets, and an important supplier of heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication programComorosUnstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He has pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through the 2000 Fomboni Accord, a confederal arrangement that the Organization of African Unity has yet to recognize.Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique12 10 S, 44 15 EAfrica2,170 sq km2,170 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC0 km340 km200 NM12 NMtropical marine; rainy season (November to May)volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hillsIndian Ocean 0 mLe Kartala 2,360 mNEGL35%10%7%18%30% (1993 est.)NA sq kmcyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcanosoil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsimportant location at northern end of Mozambique Channel596,202 (July 2001 est.) 42.81% (male 127,955; female 127,267) 54.26% (male 159,560; female 163,949) 2.93% (male 8,326; female 9,145) (2001 est.)3.02% (2001 est.)39.52 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.35 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)84.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 60.41 years 58.2 years 62.68 years (2001 est.)5.32 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.12% (1999 est.)NANAComoran(s)ComoranAntalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, SakalavaSunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) age 15 and over can read and write 57.3% 64.2% 50.4% (1995 est.)Federal Islamic Republic of the ComorosComorosRepublique Federale Islamique des ComoresComoresindependent republicMoroni3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou6 July 1975 (from France)Independence Day, 6 July (1975)20 October 1996French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code18 years of age; universalPresident AZALI Assoumani (since 6 May 1999); note - the interim government of President Tajiddine Ben Said MASSOUNDE, which had assumed power on 6 November 1998 upon the death of President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim, was overthrown in a bloodless coup on 30 April 1999Prime Minister Hamada MADI (since late November 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 6 and 16 March 1996 (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president note- President AZALI claimed a one-year term at the time of the coup; but elections, promised for spring 2000, were not held results of the last presidential election before the coup were- Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim elected president; percent of vote - 64.3%bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (15 seats- five from each island); members selected by regional councils for six-year terms) and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (43 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Federal Assembly was dissolved following the coup of 30 April 1999 Federal Assembly - last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to be held NA) Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RND 39, FNJ 3, independent 1 note- the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in opposition, but if no party accomplishes that, the second most successful party will be in opposition; in the elections of December 1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as oppositionSupreme 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)Front National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed Abdallah MOHAMED, Ahmed ABOUBACAR, Soidiki M BAPANOZA]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the government) [Ali Bazi SELIM]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Deputy Permanent Representative Mahmoud Mohamed ABOUD (acting) (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022 [1] (212) 972-8010 [1] (212) 983-4712green with a white crescent in the center of the field, its points facing downward; there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by referendum on 7 June 1992 Comoros EconomyOne 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, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high population growth rate. Continued foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP.purchasing power parity - $419 million (2000 est.)0.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $720 (2000 est.)40%4%56% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%3.5% (1999)144,500 (1996 est.)agriculture 80%20% (1996 est.)$48 million$53 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks-2% (1999 est.)17 million kWh (1999)88.24%11.76%0% 0% (1999)15.8 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)$7.9 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copraFrance 50%, Germany 25% (1998)$55.1 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products, cement, transport equipmentFrance 38%, Pakistan 13%, South Africa 8%, Kenya 8% (1998)$197 million (1997 est.)$28.1 million (1997)Comoran franc (KMF)KMFComoran francs per US dollar - 524.41 (January 2001), 533.98 (2000), 461.77 (1999), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996) note- prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the French franc at 75 Comoran francs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per eurocalendar year Comoros Communications6,000 (1997)NA sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and ReunionAM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)90,000 (1997)0 (1998)1,000 (1997).km1 (2000)800 (2000) Railways- 0 km880 km673 km207 km (1996)noneFomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,122 GRT/29,817 DWTcargo 2 (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.) 4 1 3 (2000 est.)Comoran Security Forcemales age 15-49- 141,120 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 83,920 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- claims French-administered Mayotte; the island of Anjouan (Nzwani) has moved to secede from ComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theSince 1994 the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC; formerly called Zaire) has been rent by ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees from the fighting in Rwanda and Burundi. The government of former president MOBUTU Sese Seko was toppled by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA in May 1997; his regime was subsequently challenged by a Rwanda- and Uganda-backed rebellion in August 1998. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed on 10 July 1999, but sporadic fighting continued. KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son Joseph KABILA was named head of state. The new president quickly began overtures to end the war.Central Africa, northeast of Angola0 00 N, 25 00 EAfrica2,345,410 sq km2,267,600 sq km77,810 sq kmslightly less than one-fourth the size of the UStotal- 10,744 kmAngola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 473 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km37 kmboundaries with neighbors12 NMtropical; 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 Octobervast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in eastAtlantic Ocean 0 mPic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 mcobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower, timber3%0%7%77%13% (1993 est.)100 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughts in south; volcanic activitypoaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees who arrived in mid-1994 were responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching in the eastern part of the country (most of those refugees were repatriated in November and December 1996)Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsEnvironmental Modificationstraddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo river and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands53,624,718 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 48.24% (male 12,988,488; female 12,878,232) 49.21% (male 12,931,886; female 13,459,109) 2.55% (male 575,113; female 791,890) (2001 est.)3.1% (2001 est.)46.02 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)15.15 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- one million refugees fled into Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DROC) in 1994 to escape the fighting between the Hutus and the Tutsis; fighting in the DROC between rebels and government forces in October 1996 caused 875,000 refugees to return to Rwanda in late 1996 and early 1997; an additional 173,000 Rwandan refugees disappeared in early 1997 and are assumed to have been killed by Zairian forces; fighting between the Congolese government and Uganda- and Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DROC in August 1998, which left 1.8 million Congolese displaced in DROC and caused 300,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding countries 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)99.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 48.94 years 46.96 years 50.98 years (2001 est.)6.84 children born/woman (2001 est.)5.07% (1999 est.)1.1 million (1999 est.)95,000 (1999 est.)Congolese (singular and plural)Congolese or Congoover 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 populationRoman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10%French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba 77.3% 86.6% 67.7% (1995 est.)Democratic Republic of the CongononeRepublique Democratique du CongononeCongo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation- DROCdictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative governmentKinshasa10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and one city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu30 June 1960 (from Belgium)Independence Day, 30 June (1960)24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978, amended April 1990; transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994; in November 1998, a draft constitution was approved by former President Laurent KABILA but it has not been ratified by a national referendumbased on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsoryJoseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - the president succeeded his father Laurent Desire KABILA after his assassination on 16 January 2001; as president he is both chief of state and head of governmentJoseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - the president succeeded his father Laurent Desire KABILA after his assassination on 16 January 2001; as president he is both chief of state and head of governmentNational Executive Council, appointed by the president before Laurent Desire KABILA seized power, the president was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997); formerly, the prime minister was elected by the High Council of the Republic; note - elections were not held in 1991 as called for by the constitution results of the last election were- MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga reelected president in 1984 without opposition note- Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga was president from 24 November 1965 until forced into exile on 16 May 1997 when his government was overthrown militarily by Laurent Desire KABILA, who immediately assumed governing authority; KABILA pledged to hold elections by April 1999, but in December 1998 announced that elections would be postponed until all foreign military forces attempting to topple the government had withdrawn from the country; KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and was succeeded by his son Joseph KABILAa 300-member Transitional Constituent Assembly established in August 2000 NA; members of the Transitional Constituent Assembly were appointed by former President KABILASupreme Court or Cour SupremeDemocratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR [leader NA]; Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans or UFERI [Kouyoumba MUCHULI Mulembe]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Faida MITIFU 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691 [1] (202) 234-2609 Ambassador William Lacy SWING 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa Unit 31550, APO AE 09828 [243] (12) 21804, 21807 [243] (88) 43805light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side Congo, Democratic Republic of the EconomyThe economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The new government instituted a tight fiscal policy that initially curbed inflation and currency depreciation, but these small gains were quickly reversed when the foreign-backed rebellion in the eastern part of the country began in August 1998. The war has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue and has increased external debt. Foreign businesses have curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict and because of increased government harassment and restrictions. The war has intensified the impact of such basic problems as an uncertain legal framework, corruption, raging inflation, and lack of openness in government economic policy and financial operations. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have met with the government to help it develop a coherent economic plan but associated reforms are on hold.purchasing power parity - $31 billion (2000 est.)-15% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $600 (2000 est.)58%17%25% (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%540% (2000 est.)14.51 million (1993 est.)agriculture 65%, industry 16%, services 19% (1991 est.)NA%$269 million$244 million, including capital expenditures of $24 million (1996 est.)mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cementNA%5.268 billion kWh (1999)2.05%97.95%0% 0% (1999)4.55 billion kWh (1999)404 million kWh (1999)55 million kWh (1999)coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products$960 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oilBenelux 62%, US 18%, South Africa, Finland, Italy (1999)$660 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuelsSouth Africa 28%, Benelux 14%, Nigeria 9%, Kenya 7%, China (1999)$13 billion (1998 est.)$195.3 million (1995)Congolese franc (CDF)CDFCongolese francs per US dollar - 50 (January 2001), 4.5 (January 2000), 4.02 (1999), 1.61 (1998), 1.31 (1997), 0.50 (1996) note- on 30 June 1998 the Congolese franc was introduced, replacing the new zairecalendar year Congo, Democratic Republic of the Communications21,000 (1997)8,900 (1997) NA barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 3, FM 12, shortwave 1 (1999)18.03 million (1997)20 (1999)6.478 million (1997).cd2 (2000)1,500 (1999)5,138 km (1995) note- severely reduced route-distance in use because of damage to facilities by civil strife3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2000)157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways)(1996)NA kmNA km15,000 km (including the Congo and its tributaries, and unconnected lakes)petroleum products 390 kmBanana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)232 (2000 est.) 24 4 3 15 2 (2000 est.) 208 20 96 92 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Presidential Security Groupmales age 15-49- 11,615,554 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 5,915,251 (2001 est.)$250 million (FY97)4.6% (FY97)international- the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel movements that occupy much of the eastern portion of the state; most of the Congo river boundary with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area)illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumptionCongo, Republic of theUpon 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 installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO.Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon1 00 S, 15 00 EAfrica342,000 sq km341,500 sq km500 sq kmslightly smaller than Montanatotal- 5,504 kmAngola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km169 km200 NMtropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equatorcoastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basinAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Berongou 903 mpetroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas, hydropower0%0%29%62%9% (1993 est.)10 sq km (1993 est.)seasonal floodingair pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsLaw of the Seaabout 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them2,894,336 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 42.43% (male 618,411; female 609,633) 54.23% (male 765,501; female 804,125) 3.34% (male 38,772; female 57,894) (2001 est.)2.2% (2001 est.)38.24 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)16.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)99.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 47.57 years 44.38 years 50.85 years (2001 est.)5 children born/woman (2001 est.)6.43% (1999 est.)86,000 (1999 est.)8,600 (1999 est.)Congolese (singular and plural)Congolese or CongoKongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans NA%; note - Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that of 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo has the most users) age 15 and over can read and write 74.9% 83.1% 67.2% (1995 est.)Republic of the CongononeRepublique du CongononeMiddle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, CongorepublicBrazzaville9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha15 August 1960 (from France)Independence Day, 15 August (1960)Draft constitution approved by transitional parliament in September 2000based on French civil law system and customary law18 years of age; universalPresident 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 governmentPresident 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 governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 August 1992 (next was to be held 27 July 1997 but will be delayed for several years pending the drafting of a new constitution) Pascal LISSOUBA elected president in 1992; percent of vote - Pascal LISSOUBA 61.3%, Bernard KOLELAS 38.7%; note - LISSOUBA was deposed in 1997, replaced by Denis SASSOU-NGUESSOunicameral National Transitional Council (75 seats, members elected by reconciliation forum of 1,420 delegates on NA January 1998); note - the National Transitional Council replaced the bicameral Parliament National Transitional Council - last held NA January 1998 (next to be held NA 2001); note - at that election the National Transitional Council is to be replaced by a bicameral assembly National Transitional Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NASupreme Court or Cour Supremethe most important of the many parties are the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of Convention for Alternative Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party, National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal) [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Association for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO]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 UJSCACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (vacant); Charge d Affaires ad interim Serge MOMBOULI 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-5500 [1] (202) 726-1860 Ambassador David H. KAEUPER NA NA [243] (88) 43608 [243] (88) 41036 note- the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Congo, Republic of the EconomyThe economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. 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. Moreover, the government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to the government s shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. 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. However, economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the Republic of the Congo s budget deficit. Even with the IMF s renewed confidence and high world oil prices, Congo is unlikely to realize growth of more than 5% in 2001-02. With the return to fragile peace, the IMF approved a $14 million credit in November 2000 to aid post-conflict reconstruction.purchasing power parity - $3.1 billion (2000 est.)3.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)10%48%42% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%3.5% (2000 est.)NANA%$870 million$970 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering, brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarette makingNA%302 million kWh (1999)0.66%99.34%0% 0% (1999)406.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)126 million kWh (1999)cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)petroleum 50%, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamondsUS 23%, Benelux 14%, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, China (1998)$870 million (f.o.b., 2000)petroleum products, capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffsFrance 23%, US 9%, Belgium 8%, UK 7%, Italy (1997 est.)$5 billion (1999 est.)$159.1 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African StatesXAFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per eurocalendar year Congo, Republic of the Communications22,000 (1997)1,000 (1996) services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out-of-order primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999)341,000 (1997)1 (1999)33,000 (1997).cg1 (2000)500 (2000)894 km894 km 1.067-m gauge (2000)12,800 km1,242 km11,558 km (1996)1,120 km note- the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used for local traffic onlycrude oil 25 kmBrazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire33 (2000 est.) 4 1 3 (2000 est.) 29 7 12 10 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, Navy, Gendarmerie20 years of agemales age 15-49- 684,922 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 347,946 (2001 est.)males- 32,350 (2001 est.)$110 million (FY93)3.8% (FY93)international- most of the Congo river boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area)Cook IslandsNamed 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.Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand21 14 S, 159 46 WOceania240 sq km240 sq km0 sq km1.3 times the size of Washington, DC0 km120 km200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by trade windslow coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in southPacific Ocean 0 mTe Manga 652 mNEGL9%13%0%0%78% (1993 est.)NA sq kmtyphoons (November to March)NABiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the SeaClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol20,611 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%NA%NANACook Islander(s)Cook IslanderPolynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)English (official), Maori NA 95% NA% NA%noneCook IslandsHarvey Islandsself-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islandsself-governing parliamentary democracyAvaruanonenone (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)4 August 1965based on New Zealand law and English common lawNA years of age; universal adultQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of New ZealandPrime Minister Dr. Terepai MAOATE (since 18 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (since NA)Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament none; 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 party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister note- ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS; WILLIAMS had led a minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP); on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime ministerunicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1 note- the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powersHigh CourtCook Islands People s Party or CIP [Tai CARPENTER]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]NAACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMOblue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Cook Islands EconomyLike 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 provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are made up for 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.purchasing power parity - $100 million (1999 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1999 est.)18%9%73% (1995)NA%NA%NA%1.6% (1999 est.)6,601 (1993)agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% (1995) note - shortage of skilled laborNA%$25 million$23 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00)fruit processing, tourism, fishingNA%21 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)19.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry$3 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothingJapan 42%, New Zealand 25%, US 9%, Australia 9% (1999)$85 million (c.i.f., 1994)foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goodsNZ 70%, Australia 8% (1999)$141 million (1996 est.)$13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater partNew Zealand dollar (NZD)NZDNew Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)1 April - 31 March Cook Islands Communications5,000 (1997)0 (1994) NA the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)14,000 (1997)2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)4,000 (1997).ck3 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km320 km (1992)NANAnoneAvarua, Avatiu1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,310 GRT/2,181 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)7 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 6 3 3 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its requestinternational- noneCoral Sea IslandsScattered over some 1 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 Willis Island. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs.Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia18 00 S, 152 00 EOceanialess than 3 sq kmless than 3 sq km0 sq km note- includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 1 million sq km, with the Willis Islets the most importantNA0 km3,095 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMtropicalsand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)Pacific Ocean 0 munnamed location on Cato Island 6 mNEGL0%0%0%0%100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)0 sq km (1993)occasional tropical cyclonesno permanent fresh water resourcesimportant nesting area for birds and turtlesno indigenous inhabitants note- there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (July 2001 est.)Coral Sea Islands TerritoryCoral Sea Islandsterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territoriesthe laws of Australia, where applicable, applyexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMadministered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territoriesthe flag of Australia is used Coral Sea Islands Economyno economic activity Coral Sea Islands Communications Communications - note- there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainlandnonenone; offshore anchorage only Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitorsinternational- noneCosta RicaCosta Rica is a Central American success story- since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has achieved a relatively high standard of living. Land ownership is widespread. Tourism is a rapidly expanding industry.Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama10 00 N, 84 00 WCentral America and the Caribbean51,100 sq km50,660 sq km440 sq km note- includes Isla del Cocoslightly smaller than West Virginiatotal- 639 kmNicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km1,290 km200 NM12 NMtropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlandscoastal plains separated by rugged mountainsPacific Ocean 0 mCerro Chirripo 3,810 mhydropower6%5%46%31%12% (1993 est.)1,200 sq km (1993 est.)occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoesdeforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; water pollution (rivers); coastal marine pollution; wetlands degradation; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollutionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation3,773,057 (July 2001 est.) 31.38% (male 605,728; female 578,128) 63.37% (male 1,209,084; female 1,181,754) 5.25% (male 92,314; female 106,049) (2001 est.)1.65% (2001 est.)20.27 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.3 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.02 years 73.49 years 78.68 years (2001 est.)2.47 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.54% (1999 est.)12,000 (1999 est.)750 (1999 est.)Costa Rican(s)Costa Ricanwhite (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, other Protestant 0.7%, Jehovah s Witnesses 1.3%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon age 15 and over can read and write 94.8% 94.7% 95% (1995 est.)Republic of Costa RicaCosta RicaRepublica de Costa RicaCosta Ricademocratic republicSan Jose7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose15 September 1821 (from Spain)Independence Day, 15 September (1821)7 November 1949based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998); First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998); note - president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998); First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998); note - president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet selected by the president president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 1 February 1998 (next to be held 3 February 2002) Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 46.6%, Jose Miguel CORRALES (PLN) 44.6%unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 1 February 1998 (next to be held 3 February 2002) percent of vote by party - PUSC 41%, PLN 35%, minority parties 24%; seats by party - PUSC 27, PLN 23, minority parties 7Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)Agricultural Labor Action or PALA [Carlos Alberto SOLIS Blanco]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Jose M. NUNEZ]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Alejandro MADRIGAL]; National Independent Party or PNI [Jorge GONZALEZ Marten]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Sonia PICADO]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis Manuel CHACON] note- mainly a two-party system - PUSC and PLN; numerous small parties share less than 25% of population s supportAuthentic 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); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown]BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Jaime DAREMBLUM Rosenstein 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-2945 [1] (202) 265-4795 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa consulate(s)- Austin Ambassador Thomas J. DODD Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose APO AA 34020 [506] 220-3939 [506] 220-2305five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band Costa Rica EconomyCosta Rica s basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country s political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. However, traditional export sectors have not kept pace. Low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt and with the need to modernize the state-owned electricity and telecommunications sector.purchasing power parity - $25 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2000 est.)12.5%30.7%56.8% (1999)20.6% (1999 est.)1.3%34.7% (1996)11% (2000 est.)1.9 million (1999)agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)5.2% (2000 est.)$1.95 billion$2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products4.3% (2000)5.805 billion kWh (1999)2.41%83.32%0% 14.27% (1999)5.303 billion kWh (1999)165 million kWh (1999)69 million kWh (1999)coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber$6.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipmentUS 54.1%, EU 21.3%, Central America 8.6% (1999)$5.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleumUS 56.4%, EU 9%, Mexico 5.4%, Japan 4.7%, (1999)$4.2 billion (2000 est.)Costa Rican colon (CRC)CRCCosta Rican colones per US dollar - 318.95 (2001), 308.19 (2000), 285.68 (1999), 257.23 (1998), 232.60 (1997), 207.69 (1996)calendar year Costa Rica Communications450,000 (1998) note- 584,000 installed in 1997, but only about 450,000 were in use 1998143,000 (2000) very good domestic telephone service point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)AM 50, FM 43, shortwave 19 (1998)980,000 (1997)6 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997)525,000 (1997).cr3 (of which only one is legal) (2000)150,000 (2000)950 km950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2000)37,273 km7,827 km29,446 km (1998 est.)730 km (seasonally navigable)petroleum products 176 kmCaldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,716 GRT/NA DWTpassenger 1 (2000 est.)152 (2000 est.) 29 2 1 19 7 (2000 est.) 123 28 95 (2000 est.)Coast Guard, Air Section, Ministry of Public Security Force (Fuerza Publica) note- Costa Rica has no military, only domestic police forces, including the Coast Guard and Air Section18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,035,090 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 692,973 (2001 est.)males- 39,411 (2001 est.)$69 million (FY99)1.6% (FY99)international- legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on border with Nicaraguatransshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine; those who previously only trafficked are now becoming usersCote d IvoireClose 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 tropical African states. Falling cocoa prices and political turmoil, however, sparked an economic downturn in 1999 and 2000. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d Ivoire s history - overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan BEDIE. Presidential and legislative elections held in October and December 2000 provoked violence due to the exclusion of opposition leader Alassane OUATTARA. In October 2000, Laurent GBAGBO replaced junta leader Robert GUEI as president, ending 10 months of military rule.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia8 00 N, 5 00 WAfrica322,460 sq km318,000 sq km4,460 sq kmslightly larger than New Mexicototal- 3,110 kmBurkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km515 km200 NM200 NM12 NMtropical 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)mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwestGulf of Guinea 0 mMont Nimba 1,752 mpetroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, hydropower8%4%41%22%25% (1993 est.)680 sq km (1993 est.)coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possibledeforestation (most of the country s forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluentsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements16,393,221 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 46.21% (male 3,802,397; female 3,773,455) 51.57% (male 4,343,518; female 4,110,805) 2.22% (male 180,463; female 182,583) (2001 est.)2.51% (2001 est.)40.38 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)16.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- after Liberia s civil war started in 1990, more than 350,000 refugees fled to Cote d Ivoire; by the end of 1999 most Liberian refugees were assumed to have returned 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)93.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 44.93 years 43.58 years 46.33 years (2001 est.)5.7 children born/woman (2001 est.)10.76% (1999 est.)760,000 (1999 est.)72,000 (1999 est.)Ivorian(s)IvorianAkan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (1998)Christian 34%, Muslim 27%, no religion 21%, animist 15%, other 3% (1998) note- the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken age 15 and over can read and write 48.5% 57% 40%Republic of Cote d IvoireCote d IvoireRepublique de Cote d IvoireCote d IvoireIvory Coastrepublic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan50 departments (departements, singular - departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilekrou, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula note- Cote d Ivoire may have a new administrative structure consisting of 58 departments; the following additional departments have been reported but not yet confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN); Adiake , Ale pe , Dabon, Grand Bassam, Jacqueville, Tiebissou, Toulepleu, Bocanda7 August (1960) (from France)Independence Day, 7 August (1960)3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time 27 July 1998based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000); note - took power following a popular overthrow of the interim leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a dubious victory in presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself had assumed power on 25 December 1999, following a military coup against the government of former President Henri Konan BEDIEPrime Minister and Minister of Planning and Development Affi N GUESSAN (since 27 October 2000) appointed by the presidentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 October 2000 (next is scheduled to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2%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 last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) 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 is scheduled to be created in the next full election in 2005Supreme 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 membersDemocratic Party of Cote d Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA [Aime Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker s Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Henriette DAGRI-DIABATE]; Union for Democracy and Peace [Gen. Robert GUEI]; over 20 smaller partiesNAACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Youssouf BAMBA 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 797-0300 Ambassador George MU 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01 [225] 20 21 09 79 [225] 20 22 32 59three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Cote d Ivoire EconomyCote d Ivoire is among the world s largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to weather conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly 68% of the population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth to 5% annually in 1996-99. Growth was negative in 2000 because of the difficulty of meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices of key exports, and post-coup instability. In 2001-02, a moderate rebound in the cocoa market could boost growth back above 3%; however, political instability could impede growth again.purchasing power parity - $26.2 billion (2000 est.)-0.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2000 est.)32%18%50% (1998)NA%3.1%28.8% (1995)2.5% (2000 est.)68% agricultural (2000 est.)13% in urban areas (1998 est.)$1.5 billion$2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $420 million (2000 est.)foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity15% (1998 est.)4.06 billion kWh (1999)75.37%24.63%0% 0% (1999)3.183 billion kWh (1999)593 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber$3.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cocoa 33%, coffee, tropical woods, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish (1999)France 15%, US 8%, Netherlands 7%, Germany 6%, Italy 6% (1999)$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)food, consumer goods; capital goods, fuel, transport equipmentFrance 26%, Nigeria 10%, China 7%, Italy 5%, Germany 4% (1999)$13.9 billion (2000 est.)ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African StatesXOFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per eurocalendar year Cote d Ivoire Communications219,283 (31 December 1999)322,500 (May 2000) well developed by African standards but operating well below capacity open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables (June 1999)AM 2, FM 8, shortwave 3 (1998)2.26 million (1997)14 (1999)900,000 (1997).ci5 (2001)20,000 (2000)660 km660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track note- an additional 600 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso, ending at Kaya, north of Ouagadougou (2000)50,400 km4,889 km45,511 km (1996)980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons)Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,200 GRT/1,500 DWTpetroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)36 (2000 est.) 7 1 2 4 (2000 est.) 29 8 12 9 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (includes Presidential Guard), Sapeur-Pompier (Military Fire Group)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 3,851,432 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,010,862 (2001 est.)males- 188,411 (2001 est.)$94 million (FY96)1% (FY96)international- noneillicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American cocaine destined for EuropeCroatiaIn 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became an 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.Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia45 10 N, 15 30 EEurope56,542 sq km56,414 sq km128 sq kmslightly smaller than West Virginiatotal- 2,028 kmBosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Yugoslavia 266 km, Slovenia 501 km5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km)200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation12 NMMediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coastgeographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islandsAdriatic Sea 0 mDinara 1,830 moil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower21%2%20%38%19% (1993 est.)30 sq km (1993 est.)destructive earthquakesair 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 strifeAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolcontrols most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits4,334,142 (July 2001 est.) 18.16% (male 403,722; female 383,151) 66.61% (male 1,452,872; female 1,434,086) 15.23% (male 245,727; female 414,584) (2001 est.)1.48% (2001 est.)12.82 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)11.41 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.59 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)7.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.9 years 70.28 years 77.73 years (2001 est.)1.94 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)350 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Croat(s)CroatianCroat 78.1%, Serb 12.2%, Bosniak 0.9%, Hungarian 0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%, Czech 0.4%, Albanian 0.3%, Montenegrin 0.3%, Roma 0.2%, others 6.6% (1991)Roman Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Muslim 1.2%, Protestant 0.4%, others and unknown 10.8% (1991)Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) age 15 and over can read and write 97% 99% 95% (1991 est.)Republic of CroatiaCroatiaRepublika HrvatskaHrvatskapresidential/parliamentary democracyZagreb20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular), 1 city (grad -singular)*- Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska Zupanija, Brodsko-Posavska Zupanija, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija, Istarska Zupanija, Karlovacka Zupanija, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija, Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija, Licko-Senjska Zupanija, Medimurska Zupanija, Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija, Pozesko-Slavonska Zupanija, Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija, Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija, Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija, Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija, Varazdinska Zupanija, Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija, Vukovarsko-Srijemska Zupanija, Zadarska Zupanija, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka Zupanija25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)Republic Day/Statehood Day, 30 May (1990)adopted on 22 December 1990based on civil law system18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000)Prime Minister Ivica RACAN (since 27 January 2000); Deputy Prime Ministers Goran GRANIC (since 27 January 2000), Zeljka ANTUNOVIC (since 27 January 2000), Slavko LINIC (since 27 January 2000)Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the House of Representatives president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 7 February 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister nominated by the president in line with the balance of power in the Assembly Stjepan MESIC elected president; percent of vote - Stjepan MESIC (HNS) 56%, Drazen BUDISA (HSLS) 44% note- government coalition - SDP, HSLS, HSS, LP, HNS, IDSbicameral Assembly or Sabor consists of the House of Counties or Zupanijski Dom (68 seats, 63 directly elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; members serve four-year terms; note - House of Counties to be abolished in 2001) and House of Representatives or the Zastupnicki Dom (151 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) House of Counties - last held 13 April 1997; House of Representatives - last held 2-3 January 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) House of Counties - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - HDZ 42, HSLS/HSS 11, HSS 2, IDS 2, SDP/PGS/HNS 2, SDP/HNS 2, HSLS/HSS/HNS 1, HSLS 1; note - in some districts certain parties ran as coalitions, while in others they ran alone; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - HDZ 46, SDP 44, HSLS 24, HSS 17, HSP/HKDU 5, IDS 4, HNS 2, independents 4, minority representatives 5Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the House of RepresentativesAlliance of Croatian Coast and Mountains Department or PGS [Luciano SUSANJ]; Croatian Christian Democratic Union or HKDU [Marko VESELICA]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Dobroslav PARAGA]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Zlatko TOMCIC]; Croatian People s Party or HNS [Vesna PUSIC]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Drazen BUDISA]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Liberal Party or LP [leader NA]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN] note- the Social Democratic Party or SDP and the Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS formed a coalition as did the HSS, HNS, LP, and IDS, which together defeated the Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ in the 2000 lower house parliamentary electionNABIS, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Ivan GRDESIC 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-5899 [1] (202) 588-8936 Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York Ambassador Lawrence G. ROSSIN Andrije Hebranga 2, 100000 Zagreb use street address [385] (1) 455-55-00 [385] (1) 455-85-85red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Croatia EconomyBefore the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. Croatia faces considerable economic problems stemming from- the legacy of longtime communist mismanagement of the economy; damage during the internecine fighting to bridges, factories, power lines, buildings, and houses; the large refugee and displaced population, both Croatian and Bosnian; and the disruption of economic ties. Stepped-up Western aid and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would help bolster the economy. The economy emerged from its mild recession in 2000 with tourism the main factor. Massive unemployment remains a key negative element. The government s failure to press the economic reforms needed to spur growth is largely the result of coalition politics and public resistance, particularly from the trade unions, to measures that would cut jobs, wages, or social benefits.purchasing power parity - $24.9 billion (2000 est.)3.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $5,800 (2000 est.)10%19%71% (1999 est.)4% (1999 est.)NA%NA%6% (2000 est.)1.68 million (October 2000)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%22% (October 2000)$6 billion$4.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)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; tourism1.7% (2000)10.96 billion kWh (1999)40.89%59%0% 0.11% (1999)13.643 billion kWh (1999)1 billion kWh (1999)4.45 billion kWh (1999)wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soy beans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products$4.3 billion (f.o.b., 1999)transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuelsItaly 18%, Germany 15.7%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 12.8%, Slovenia 10.6%, Austria 6.2% (1999)$7.8 billion (c.i.f., 1999)machinery, transport and electrical equipment, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, foodstuffsGermany 18.5%, Italy 15.9%, Russia 8.6%, Slovenia 7.9%, Austria 7.1% (1999)$9.9 billion (December 1999)$NAkuna (HRK)HRKkuna per US dollar - 8.089 (January 2001), 8.277 (2000), 7.112 (1999), 6.362 (1998), 6.101 (1997), 5.434 (1996)calendar year Croatia Communications1.488 million (1997)187,000 (yearend 1998) NA reconstruction plan calls for replacement of all analog circuits with digital and enlarging the network; a backup will be included in the plan for the main trunk 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 two fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; Croatia is also investing in ADRIA 1, a joint fiber-optic project with Germany, Albania, and Greece (2000)AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999)1.51 million (1997)36 (plus 321 repeaters) (September 1995)1.22 million (1997).hr9 (2000)100,000 (1999)2,296 km2,296 km 1.435-m gauge (983 km electrified) (2000)27,840 km23,497 km (including 330 km of expressways)4,343 km (1998)785 km note- (perennially navigable; large sections of Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris)crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310 km (1992)Dubrovnik, Dugi Rat, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split, Vukovar (inland waterway port on Danube), Zadar53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 631,853 GRT/969,739 DWTbulk 11, cargo 18, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 5, container 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 3 (2000 est.)67 (2000 est.) 22 2 6 2 4 8 (2000 est.) 45 1 8 36 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces19 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,085,877 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 859,621 (2001 est.)males- 30,037 (2001 est.)$575 million (2000)3.8% (2000)international- Croatia and Italy made progress toward resolving a bilateral issue dating from World War II over property and ethnic minority rights; progress with Slovenia on discussions of adjustments to land boundary, but problems remain in defining maritime boundary in Gulf of Piran; Croatia and Yugoslavia are negotiating the status of the strategically important Prevlaka Peninsula, which is currently under a UN military observer mission (UNMOP)transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; a minor transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western EuropeCubaFidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the country together since. Cuba s communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Havana portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, or falsified visas - is a continuing problem. Some 3,000 Cubans took to the Straits of Florida in 2000; the US Coast Guard interdicted only about 35% of these.Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida21 30 N, 80 00 WCentral America and the Caribbean110,860 sq km110,860 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Pennsylvaniatotal- 29 kmUS Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note- Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba3,735 km200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeastCaribbean Sea 0 mPico Turquino 2,005 mcobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land24%7%27%24%18% (1993 est.)9,100 sq km (1993 est.)the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are commonpollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestationAntarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservationlargest country in Caribbean11,184,023 (July 2001 est.) 20.99% (male 1,205,159; female 1,142,070) 69.14% (male 3,876,432; female 3,855,878) 9.87% (male 511,589; female 592,895) (2001 est.)0.37% (2001 est.)12.36 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.33 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)7.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.41 years 74.02 years 78.94 years (2001 est.)1.6 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.03% (1999 est.)1,950 (1999 est.)120 (1999 est.)Cuban(s)Cubanmulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah s Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also representedSpanish age 15 and over can read and write 95.7% 96.2% 95.3% (1995 est.) People - note- illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; some 3,000 Cubans took to the Straits of Florida in 2000; the US Coast Guard interdicted about 35% of these migrants; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US; some 2,400 Cubans arrived overland via the southwest border and direct flights to MiamiRepublic of CubaCubaRepublica de CubaCubaCommunist stateHavana14 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 Clara20 May 1902 (from US)Independence Day, 10 October (1868); note - 10 October 1868 is the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of independence from US administration24 February 1976, amended July 1992based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction16 years of age; universalPresident of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly; note - there is also a Council of State whose members are elected by the National Assembly president and vice president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 24 February 1998 (next election unscheduled) Fidel CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100%unicameral National Assembly of People s Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (601 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms) last held 11 January 1998 (next to be held in 2003) percent of vote - PCC 94.39%; seats - PCC 601People s Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly)only party - Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary]NACCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO [1] (202) 797-8518 33-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); 33-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerlandfive equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the US flag Cuba EconomyThe government, the primary player in the economy, has undertaken limited reforms in recent years to stem excess liquidity, increase enterprise efficiency, and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services, but prioritizing of political control makes extensive reforms unlikely. Living standards for the average Cuban, without access to dollars, remain at a depressed level compared with 1990. The liberalized farmers markets introduced in 1994, sell above-quota production at market prices, expand legal consumption alternatives, and reduce black market prices. Income taxes and increased regulations introduced since 1996 have sharply reduced the number of legally self-employed from a high of 208,000 in January 1996. Havana announced in 1995 that GDP declined by 35% during 1989-93 as a result of lost Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The slide in GDP came to a halt in 1994 when Cuba reported growth in GDP of 0.7%. Cuba reported that GDP increased by 2.5% in 1995 and 7.8% in 1996, before slowing down in 1997 and 1998 to 2.5% and 1.2% respectively. Growth recovered with a 6.2% increase in GDP in 1999 and a 5.6% increase in 2000. Much of Cuba s recovery can be attributed to tourism revenues and foreign investment. Growth in 2001 should continue at the same level as the government balances the need for economic loosening against its concern for firm political control.purchasing power parity - $19.2 billion (2000 est.)5.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)7%37%56% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%0.3% (1999 est.)4.3 million (2000 est.) note- state sector 75%, non-state sector 25% (1998)agriculture 25%, industry 24%, services 51% (1998)5.5% (2000 est.)$13.5 billion$14.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)sugar, petroleum, tobacco, chemicals, construction, services, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery5% (2000 est.)14.358 billion kWh (1999)94.2%0.7%0% 5.1% (1999)13.353 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock$1.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffeeRussia 23%, Netherlands 23%, Canada 13% (1999)$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals, semifinished goods, transport equipment, consumer goodsSpain 18%, Venezuela 13%, Canada 8% (1999)$11.1 billion (convertible currency, 1999); another $15 billion -$20 billion owed to Russia (2000)$68.2 million (1997 est.)Cuban peso (CUP)CUPCuban pesos per US dollar - 1.0000 (nonconvertible, official rate, for international transactions, pegged to the US dollar); convertible peso sold for domestic use at a rate of 1.00 US dollar per 22 pesos by the Government of Cuba (January 2001)calendar year Cuba Communications473,031 (2000)2,994 (1997) NA principal trunk system, end to end of country, is coaxial cable; fiber-optic distribution in Havana and on Isla de la Juventud; 2 microwave radio relay installations (one is old, US-built; the other newer, Soviet-built); both analog and digital mobile cellular service established satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998)3.9 million (1997)58 (1997)2.64 million (1997).cu4 (2001)60,000 (2000)11,969 km4,807 km 1.435-m gauge (147 km electrified) note- in addition to the 4,807 km of standard gauge track in public use, 7,162 km of track is in private use by sugar plantations; about 90% of the private use track is standard gauge and the rest is narrow gauge (2000)60,858 km29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway)31,038 km (1997)240 kmCienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 54,821 GRT/78,062 DWTbulk 1, cargo 7, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 5 (2000 est.)171 (2000 est.) 77 7 9 16 10 35 (2000 est.) 94 31 63 (2000 est.)Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) includes ground forces, Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Territorial Troops Militia (MTT), and Youth Labor Army (EJT); the Border Guard (TGF) is controlled by the Interior Ministry17 years of agemales age 15-49- 3,090,633 females age 15-49- 3,029,274 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,911,160 females age 15-49- 1,867,958 (2001 est.)males- 79,562 females- 85,650 (2001 est.)$NAroughly 4% (FY95 est.) Military - note- Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993international- US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the leaseterritorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for cocaine bound for the US and Europe; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999CyprusIndependence from the UK was approved in 1960 with constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish Cypriot minority. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled almost 40% of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", but it is recognized only by Turkey. UN-led talks on the status of Cyprus resumed in December 1999 to prepare the ground for meaningful negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement.Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey35 00 N, 33 00 EMiddle East9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish Cypriot area)9,240 sq km10 sq kmabout 0.6 times the size of Connecticut0 km648 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation12 NMtemperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, winterscentral plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coastMediterranean Sea 0 mOlympus 1,951 mcopper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment12%5%0%13%70% (1993 est.)390 sq km (1993 est.)moderate earthquake activity; droughtswater 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 urbanizationAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants762,887 (July 2001 est.) 22.95% (male 89,532; female 85,518) 66.26% (male 255,368; female 250,140) 10.79% (male 35,864; female 46,465) (2001 est.)0.59% (2001 est.)13.08 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)7.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.89 years 74.6 years 79.3 years (2001 est.)1.93 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.1% (1999 est.)400 (1999 est.)NACypriot(s)CypriotGreek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the Turks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish Cypriot area)Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%Greek, Turkish, English age 15 and over can read and write 94% 98% 91% (1987 est.)Republic of CyprusCyprus note- the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)rchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- purchasing power parity - $5,300 (1999 est.) GDP - composition by sector- Greek Cypriot area- agriculture 6.3%, industry 22.4%, services 71.3% (1998); Turkish Cypriot area- agriculture 11.8%, industry 20.5%, services 67.7% (1998)republic note- a disaggregation 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 after a Greek junta-based 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), recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly support a settlement based on a federation (Greek Cypriot position) or confederation (Turkish Cypriot position)Nicosia6 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 Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November (1983) as Independence Day16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985based on common law, with civil law modifications18 years of age; universalPresident Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); 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 CypriotPresident Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); 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 CypriotCouncil of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 February 1998 (next to be held NA February 2003) Glafcos CLERIDES reelected president; percent of vote - Glafcos CLERIDES 50.8%, George IAKOVOU 49.2% note- Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 13 February 1975 ("president" elected by popular vote for a five-year term); elections last held 15 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2005); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH reelected president after the other contender withdrew; Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish Cypriot areaunicameral - Greek Cypriot area- 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); Turkish Cypriot area- Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Greek Cypriot area- last held 27 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2006); Turkish Cypriot area- last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003) Greek Cypriot area- House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 20, DISY 19, DIKO 9, KISOS 4, others 4; Turkish Cypriot area- Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - UBP 40.3%, DP 22.6%, TKP 15.4%, CTP 13.4%, UDP 4.6%, YBH 2.5%, BP 1.2%; seats by party - UBP 24, DP 13, TKP 7, CTP 6Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature) note- there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish Cypriot areaGreek Cypriot area- Democratic Party or DIKO [Tassos PAPADOPOULOS]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS]; Restorative Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; Social Democrats Movement or KISOS (formerly United Democratic Union of Cyprus or EDEK) [Vassos LYSSARIDIS]; United Democrats Movement or EDE (formerly Free Democrats Movement or KED) [George VASSILIOU]; Turkish Cypriot area- Communal Liberation Party or TKP [Mustafa AKINCI]; Democratic Party or DP [Salih COSAR]; National Birth Party or UDP [Enver EMIN]; National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU]; Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Izzet IZCAN]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT]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)Australia Group, C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Erato KOZAKOU-MARCOULLIS 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 462-5772 [1] (202) 483-6710 New York note- representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Ahmet ERDENGIZ; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 Ambassador Donald K. BANDLER corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, 2407 Nicosia P. O. Box 4536, FPO AE 09836 [357] (2) 776400 [357] (2) 780944white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note- the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field Cyprus EconomyEconomic affairs are affected by the division of the country. The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflect the economy s vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability on the island and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector, water shortage is a growing problem, and several desalination plants are planned. The Turkish Cypriot economy has about one-fifth the population and one-third the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. It remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. Moreover, the small, vulnerable economy has suffered because the Turkish lira is legal tender. To compensate for the economy s weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to tourism, education, industry, etc.Greek Cypriot area- purchasing power parity - $9.7 billion (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- purchasing power parity - $830 million (1999 est.)Greek Cypriot area- 4.2% (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- 4.9% (1999 est.)Greek Cypriot area- purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- purchasing power parity - $5,300 (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%Greek Cypriot area- 4.2% (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- 58% (1999 est.)Greek Cypriot area- 291,000; Turkish Cypriot area- 86,300 (2000)Greek Cypriot area- services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (2000); Turkish Cypriot area- services 56.4%, industry 22.8%, agriculture 20.8% (1998)Greek Cypriot area- 3.6% (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- 6% (1998 est.)Greek Cypriot area - $2.9 billion (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot area - $294 million (2000 est.)Greek Cypriot area - $3.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $324 million (2000 est.); Turkish Cypriot $495 million, including capital expenditures of $60 million (2000 est.)food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood productsGreek Cypriot area- 2.2% (1999); Turkish Cypriot area- -0.3% (1999)2.951 billion kWh (1999); Turkish Cypriot area- NA kWh100%0%0% 0% (1999)2.744 billion kWh (1999); Turkish Cypriot area- NA kWh0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetablesGreek Cypriot area- $1 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- $51.1 million (f.o.b., 1999)Greek Cypriot area- citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes; Turkish Cypriot area- citrus, potatoes, textilesGreek Cypriot area- UK 17.3%, Greece 9.7%, Russia 7.0%, Lebanon 5.2% (1999); Turkish Cypriot area- Turkey 51%, UK 31%, other EU 16.5% (1999)Greek Cypriot area- $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- $402 million (f.o.b., 1999)Greek Cypriot area- consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery; Turkish Cypriot area- food, minerals, chemicals, machineryGreek Cypriot area- UK 11.2%, US 10.6%, Italy 8.8%, Greece 8.2%, Germany 6.7% (1999); Turkish Cypriot area- Turkey 58.6%, UK 12.5%, other EU 13% (1999)Greek Cypriot area- $NA; Turkish Cypriot area- $NAGreek Cypriot area - $17 million (1998); Turkish Cypriot area - $700 million from Turkey in grants and loans (1990-97) that are usually forgivenGreek Cypriot area- Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area- Turkish lira (TRL)CYP; TRLCypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.6146 (January 2001), 0.6208 (2000), 0.5423 (1999), 0.5170 (1998), 0.5135 (1997), 0.4663 (1996); Turkish liras per US dollar - 677,621 (December 2000), 625,219 (2000), 418,783 (1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997), 81,405 (1996)calendar year Cyprus CommunicationsGreek Cypriot area- 405,000 (1998); Turkish Cypriot area- 83,162 (1998)Greek Cypriot area- 68,000 (1998); Turkish Cypriot area- 70,000 (1999) excellent in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas open wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 ArabsatGreek Cypriot area- AM 7, FM 60, shortwave 1 (1998); Turkish Cypriot area- AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)Greek Cypriot area- 310,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area- 56,450 (1994)Greek Cypriot area- 4 (plus 225 low-power repeaters) (September 1995); Turkish Cypriot area- 4 (plus 5 repeaters) (September 1995)Greek Cypriot area- 248,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area- 52,300 (1994).cy6 (2000)80,000 (2000) Railways- 0 kmGreek Cypriot area- 10,663 km (1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- 2,350 km (1996 est.)Greek Cypriot area- 6,249 km (1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- 1,370 km (1996 est.)Greek Cypriot area- 4,414 km (1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area- 980 km (1996 est.)noneFamagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Vasilikos1,328 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,905,542 GRT/36,312,219 DWTbarge carrier 2, bulk 431, cargo 438, chemical tanker 23, combination bulk 36, combination ore/oil 4, container 140, liquefied gas 6, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 143, refrigerated cargo 40, roll on/roll off 42, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 3 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Austria 8, Belgium 7, China 10, Cuba 10, Denmark 2, Germany 79, Greece 385, Hong Kong 9, Croatia 2, India 5, Iran 1, Israel 4, Italy 2, Japan 19, South Korea 3, Latvia 10, Lithuania 1, Monaco 1, Netherlands 13, Norway 11, Poland 9, Portugal 3, Russia 42, Singapore 1, Spain 5, Sudan 2, Sweden 3, Switzerland 2, UAE 6, UK 8, Ukraine 2, US 9, Venezuela 2 (2000 est.)15 (2000 est.) 12 7 1 3 1 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.)7 (2000 est.)Greek Cypriot area- Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval elements), Hellenic Forces Contingent on Cyprus (ELDYK), Greek Cypriot Police; Turkish Cypriot area- Turkish Cypriot Security Force (TCSF), Turkish mainland army units18 years of agemales age 15-49- 198,275 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 136,147 (2001 est.)males- 6,616 (2001 est.)$370 million (FY00)4.2% (FY00)international- 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government (59% of the island s land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (37% of the island), that are separated by a UN buffer zone (4% of the island); there are two UK sovereign base areas mostly within the Greek Cypriot portion of the islandminor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as wellCzech RepublicAfter World War II, 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 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. Now a member of NATO, the Czech Republic has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks.Central Europe, southeast of Germany49 45 N, 15 30 EEurope78,866 sq km77,276 sq km1,590 sq kmslightly smaller than South Carolinatotal- 1,881 kmAustria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid wintersBohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly countryElbe River 115 mSnezka 1,602 mhard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber41%2%11%34%12% (1993 est.)240 sq km (1993 est.)floodingair and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forestsAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollandlocked; 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 Europe10,264,212 (July 2001 est.) 16.09% (male 847,219; female 804,731) 69.99% (male 3,592,984; female 3,590,802) 13.92% (male 549,538; female 878,938) (2001 est.)-0.07% (2001 est.)9.11 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.81 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 74.73 years 71.23 years 78.43 years (2001 est.)1.18 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.04% (1999 est.)2,200 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Czech(s)CzechCzech 81.2%, Moravian 13.2%, Slovak 3.1%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Silesian 0.4%, Roma 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 0.5% (1991)atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%Czech NA 99.9% (1999 est.) NA% NA%Czech RepublicCzech RepublicCeska RepublikaCeska Republikaparliamentary democracyPrague13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Brnensky, Budejovicky, Jihlavsky, Karlovarsky, Kralovehradecky, Liberecky, Olomoucky, Ostravsky, Pardubicky, Plzensky, Praha*, Stredocesky, Ustecky, Zlinsky1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Vaclav HAVEL (since 2 February 1993)Prime Minister Milos ZEMAN (since 17 July 1998); Deputy Prime Ministers Vladimir SPIDLA (since 22 July 1998), Pavel RYCHETSKY (since 22 July 1998), Jan KAVAN (since 8 December 1999)Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 20 January 1998 (next to be held NA January 2003); prime minister appointed by the president Vaclav HAVEL reelected president; Vaclav HAVEL received 47 of 81 votes in the Senate and 99 out of 200 votes in the Chamber of Deputies (second round of voting)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) Senate - last held 12 and 19 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); Chamber of Deputies - last held 19-20 June 1998 (next to be held by NA June 2002) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - KDU-CSL 28, ODS 22, CSSD 15, ODA 7, US 4, KSCM 3, independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CSSD 32.3%, ODS 27.7%, KSCM 11%, KDU-CSL 9.0%, US 8.6%; seats by party - CSSD 74, ODS 63, KSCM 24, KDU-CSL 20, US 18, CSNS 1Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year termChristian and Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People s Party or KDU-CSL [Jan KASAL, chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Daniel KROUPA, chairman]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Vaclav KLAUS, chairman]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Miroslav GREBENICEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Czechoslovakia or KSC [Miroslav STEPAN, chairman]; Czech National Social Party of CSNS [Jan SULA, chairman]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Milos ZEMAN, chairman]; Democratic Union or DEU [Ratibor MAJZLIK, chairman]; Freedom Union or US [Karel KUEHNL, chairman]; Quad Coalition [Cyril SVOBODA, chairman] (includes KDU-CSL, US, ODA, DEU); Republicans of Miroslav SLADEK or RMS [Miroslav SLADEK, chairman]Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions [Richard FALBR]ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Alexsandr VONDRA 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 274-9100 [1] (202) 966-8540 Los Angeles and New York Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affaires Steven J. COFFEY Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 use embassy street address [420] (2) 5753-0663 [420] (2) 5753-0583two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia) Czech Republic EconomyBasically one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states, the Czech Republic has been recovering from recession since mid-1999. The economy grew about 2.5% in 2000 and should achieve somewhat higher growth in 2001. Growth is led by exports to the EU, especially Germany, and foreign investment, while domestic demand is reviving. Uncomfortably high fiscal and current account deficits could be future problems. Unemployment is down to 8.7% as job creation continues in the rebounding economy; inflation is up to 3.8% but still moderate. The EU put the Czech Republic just behind Poland and Hungary in preparations for accession, which will give further impetus and direction to structural reform. Moves to complete banking, telecommunications and energy privatization will add to foreign investment, while intensified restructuring among large enterprises and banks and improvements in the financial sector should strengthen output growth.purchasing power parity - $132.4 billion (2000 est.)2.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $12,900 (2000 est.)3.7%41.8%54.5% (1999)NA%4.3%22.4% (1996)3.8% (2000 est.)5.203 million (1999 est.)agriculture 5%, industry 40%, services 55% (2000 est.)8.7% (2000 est.)$16.7 billion$18 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments7.6% (2000)67.642 billion kWh (2000)77.8%3.43%18.77% 0% (2000)52.898 billion kWh (2000)18.744 billion kWh (2000)8.735 billion kWh (2000)wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry$28.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and transport equipment 44%, other manufactured goods 40%, chemicals 7%, raw materials and fuel 7% (1999)Germany 43%, Slovakia 8.4%, Austria 6.6%, Poland 5.6%, France 4% (1999)$31.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and transport equipment 42%, other manufactured goods 33%, chemicals 12%, raw materials and fuels 10% (1999)Germany 37.5%, Slovakia 6.7%, Austria 6.2%, Italy 5.9%, France 5.4% (1999)$21.3 billion (2000)$NACzech koruna (CZK)CZKkoruny per US dollar - 37.425 (January 2001), 38.598 (2000), 34.569 (1999), 32.281 (1998), 31.698 (1997), 27.145 (1996)calendar year Czech Republic Communications3.869 million (2000)4.346 million (2000) privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones is particularly vigorous 86% of exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems now being 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 satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 GlobalstarAM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000)3,159,134 (December 2000)150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000)3,405,834 (December 2000).czmore than 300 (2000)900,000 (2000)9,444 km9,350 km 1.435-m standard gauge (2,843 km electrified; 1,929 km double track)94 km 0.760-m narrow gauge (2000)55,432 km55,432 km (including 499 km of expressways)0 km (2000)303 km note- (the Labe (Elbe) is the principal river) (2000)natural gas 3,550 km (2000)Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem114 (2000 est.) 43 2 10 14 1 16 (2000 est.) 71 1 28 42 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Territorial Defense, Railroad Units18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,653,456 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,024,070 (2001 est.)males- 69,393 (2001 est.)$1.2 billion (FY01)2.2% (FY01)international- Liechtenstein s royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918; individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II; Austria has minor dispute with Czech Republic over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minoritiesmajor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; domestic consumption - especially of locally produced synthetic drugs - on the riseDenmarkOnce 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 political and economic integration of Europe. So far, however, the country has opted out of some aspects of the European Union s Maastricht Treaty, including the economic and monetary system (EMU) and issues concerning certain internal affairs.Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaeland and Fyn)56 00 N, 10 00 EEurope43,094 sq km42,394 sq km700 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 Sjaeland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenlandslightly less than twice the size of Massachusettstotal- 68 kmGermany 68 km7,314 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtemperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summerslow and flat to gently rolling plainsLammefjord -7 mYding Skovhoej 173 mpetroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, stone, gravel and sand60%0%5%10%25% (1993 est.)4,350 sq km (1993 est.)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 dikesair 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 pesticidesAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Seacontrols Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen5,352,815 (July 2001 est.) 18.59% (male 510,826; female 484,385) 66.56% (male 1,804,617; female 1,758,019) 14.85% (male 331,906; female 463,062) (2001 est.)0.3% (2001 est.)11.96 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.72 years 74.12 years 79.47 years (2001 est.)1.73 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.17% (1999 est.)4,300 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Dane(s)DanishScandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, SomaliEvangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslims 2%Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note- English is the predominant second language age 15 and over can read and write 100% NA% NA%Kingdom of DenmarkDenmarkKongeriget DanmarkDanmarkconstitutional monarchyCopenhagenmetropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2 kommunes*; Arhus, Bornholm, Fredericksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavns*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde, Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg note- see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and are self-governing administrative divisionsfirst organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchynone designated; Constitution Day, 5 June is generally viewed as the National Day1849 was the original constitution; there was a major overhaul 5 June 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of statecivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalQueen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968)Prime Minister Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN (since 25 January 1993)Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarchunicameral Parliament 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) last held 11 March 1998 (next to be held by March 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - progovernment parties- Social Democratic Party 65, Socialist People s Party 13, Social Liberal Party 7, Red-Green Unity List 5; opposition- Liberal Party 43, Conservative Party 17, Danish People s Party 13, Center Democratic Party 8, Christian People s Party 4, Progress Party 4; seats by party as of 1 January 2001- government coalition parties - Social Democrats 63, Social Liberals 7; pro-government parties - Socialist People s Party 13, Unity List 5; opposition - Liberals 42, Conservatives 16, Danish People s Party 13, Center Democrats 8, Christian People s Party 4, Progress Party 4 (now named Freedom 2000); does not include the 4 overseas seatsSupreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life)Center Democratic Party [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; Christian People s Party [Jann SJURSEN]; Conservative Party (sometimes known as Conservative People s Party) [Bendt BENDTSEN]; Danish People s Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Progress Party (now named Freedom 2000) [Kim BEHNKE]; Social Democratic Party [Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN]; Social Liberal Party (sometimes called the Radical Left) [Marianne JELVED, leader; Johannes LEBECH, chairman]; Socialist People s Party [Holger K. NIELSEN]; Red-Green Unity List (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers Party) [collective leadership]NAAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Ulrik Andreas FEDERSPIEL 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-4300 [1] (202) 328-1470 Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador Stuart BERNSTEIN Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen PSC 73, APO AE 09716 [45] 35 55 31 44 [45] 35 38 96 16red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Denmark EconomyThis thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and has a comfortable balance of payments surplus. The center-left coalition government has reduced the formerly high unemployment rate and attained a budget surplus as well as followed the previous government s policies of maintaining low inflation and a stable currency. The coalition has lowered marginal income tax rates and raised environmental taxes thus maintaining overall tax revenues. Problems of bottlenecks, and longer term demographic changes reducing the labor force, are being addressed through labor market reforms. 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 Monetary Union (EMU), but Denmark, in a September 2000 referendum, reconfirmed its decision not to join the 11 other EU members in the euro. Even so, the Danish currency remains pegged to the euro.purchasing power parity - $136.2 billion (2000 est.)2.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $25,500 (2000 est.)3%25%72% (2000 est.)NA%2%24% (2000 est.)2.9% (2000 est.)2.856 million (2000 est.)services 79%, industry 17%, agriculture 4% (2000 est.)5.3% (2000)$52.9 billion$51.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (2001 est.)food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other wood products, shipbuilding, windmills3% (2000 est.)37.885 billion kWh (1999)88.4%0.07%0% 11.53% (1999)32.916 billion kWh (1999)7.28 billion kWh (1999)4.963 billion kWh (1999)grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets; pork and beef, dairy products; fish$50.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, chemicals, furniture, ships, windmillsEU 66.5% (Germany 20.1%, Sweden 11.7%, UK 9.6%, France 5.3%, Netherlands 4.7%), Norway 5.8%, US 5.4% (1999)$43.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goodsEU 72.1% (Germany 21.6%, Sweden 12.4%, UK 8.0%, Netherlands 8.0%, France 5.8%), Norway 4.2%, US 4.5% (1999)$21.7 billion (2000) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.63 billion (1999)Danish krone (DKK)DKKDanish kroner per US dollar - 7.951 (January 2001), 8.083 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1996); note - the Danes rejected the Euro in a 28 September 2000 referendumcalendar year Denmark Communications4.785 million (1997)1,444,016 (1997) excellent telephone and telegraph services buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems 18 submarine fiber-optic cables linking Denmark with Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations - 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 (1997)AM 2, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998)6.02 million (1997)26 (plus 51 repeaters) (1998)3.121 million (1997).dk13 (2000)2.3 million (2000)2,859 km (508 km privately owned and operated)2,859 km 1.435-m gauge (600 km electrified; 760 km double track) (1998)71,474 km71,474 km (including 880 km of expressways)0 km (1999)417 kmcrude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural gas 700 kmAbenra, Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kolding, Odense, Roenne (Bornholm), Vejle342 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,073,489 GRT/8,027,002 DWTbulk 10, cargo 128, chemical tanker 27, container 76, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 6, petroleum tanker 22, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 23, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 3 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Finland 1 (2000 est.)119 (2000 est.) 28 2 7 4 12 3 (2000 est.) 91 1 7 83 (2000 est.)Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home Guard18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,292,619 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,106,094 (2001 est.)males- 29,212 (2001 est.)$2.47 billion (FY99)1.4% (FY99)international- Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Iceland, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NMDjiboutiThe French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. A peace accord in 1994 ended a three-year uprising by Afars rebels.Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia11 30 N, 43 00 EAfrica22,000 sq km21,980 sq km20 sq kmslightly smaller than Massachusettstotal- 508 kmEritrea 113 km, Ethiopia 337 km, Somalia 58 km314 km24 NM200 NM12 NMdesert; torrid, drycoastal plain and plateau separated by central mountainsLac Assal -155 mMoussa Ali 2,028 mgeothermal areas0%0%9%0%91% (1993 est.)NA sq kmearthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floodsinadequate supplies of potable water; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionnone of the selected agreementsstrategic location near world s busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland460,700 (July 2001 est.) 42.58% (male 98,314; female 97,859) 54.58% (male 132,619; female 118,841) 2.84% (male 6,787; female 6,280) (2001 est.)2.6% (2001 est.)40.66 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.66 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)101.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 51.21 years 49.37 years 53.1 years (2001 est.)5.72 children born/woman (2001 est.)11.75% (1999 est.)37,000 (1999 est.)3,100 (1999 est.)Djiboutian(s)DjiboutianSomali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5%Muslim 94%, Christian 6%French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar age 15 and over can read and write 46.2% 60.3% 32.7% (1995 est.)Republic of DjiboutiDjiboutiFrench Territory of the Afars and Issas, French SomalilandrepublicDjibouti5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura27 June 1977 (from France)Independence Day, 27 June (1977)multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic lawNA years of age; universal adultPresident GUELLEH Ismail Omar (since 8 May 1999);Prime Minister DILLEITA Mohamed Dilleita (since 4 March 2001)Council of Ministers responsible to the president president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 9 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president GUELLEH Ismail Omar elected president; percent of vote - GUELLEH Ismail Omar 74.4%, IDRIS Moussa Ahmed 25.6%unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) last held 19 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote - NA%; seats - RPP 65; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated the electionSupreme Court or Cour SupremeDemocratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; People s Progress Assembly or RPP (governing party) [Ismail Omar GELLEH]Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy or FRUD and affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy or MUDACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye Oudine Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 331-0270 [1] (202) 331-0302 Ambassador Donald YAMAMOTO Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti B. P. 185, Djibouti [253] 35 39 95 [253] 35 39 40two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center Djibouti EconomyThe economy is based on service activities connected with the country s strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city, the remainder being mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of 40% to 50% continues to be a major problem. Inflation is not a concern, however, because of the fixed tie of the franc to the US dollar. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last seven years 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. The year 2001 will see only small growth as port activity should decrease now that Ethiopia has more trade route options.purchasing power parity - $574 million (2000 est.)2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2000 est.)3%22%75% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%2% (2000 est.)282,000agriculture 75%, industry 11%, services 14% (1991 est.)50% (2000 est.)$133 million$187 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and mineral-water bottling3% (1996 est.)180 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)167.4 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels$260 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit)Somalia 53%, Yemen 23%, Ethiopia 5%, (1998)$440 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum productsFrance 13%, Ethiopia 12%, Italy 9%, Saudi Arabia 6%, UK 6% (1998)$356 million (1999 est.)$106.3 million (1995)Djiboutian franc (DJF)DJFDjiboutian francs per US dollar - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973)calendar year Djibouti Communications8,000 (1997)203 (1997) telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country microwave radio relay network submarine cable to Jiddah, Suez, Sicily, Marseilles, Colombo, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone networkAM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)52,000 (1997)1 (plus 5 low-power repeaters) (1998)28,000 (1997).dj1 (2000)1,000 (2000)100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad)100 km 1.000-m gauge note- Djibouti and Ethiopia plan to revitalize the century-old railroad that links their capitals by 20032,890 km364 km2,526 km (1996)noneDjibouti1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)12 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 10 2 5 3 (2000 est.)Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force)males age 15-49- 108,038 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 63,589 (2001 est.)$23 million (FY97)4.5% (FY97)international- noneDominicaDominica 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.Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago15 25 N, 61 20 WCentral America and the Caribbean754 sq km754 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC0 km148 km24 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfallrugged mountains of volcanic originCaribbean Sea 0 mMorne Diablatins 1,447 mtimber, hydropower, arable land9%13%3%67%8% (1993 est.)NA sq kmflash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer monthsNABiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whalingnone of the selected agreements70,786 (July 2001 est.) 28.72% (male 10,300; female 10,027) 63.45% (male 23,056; female 21,855) 7.83% (male 2,267; female 3,281) (2001 est.)-0.98% (2001 est.)17.81 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-20.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)16.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.6 years 70.74 years 76.61 years (2001 est.)2.03 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANADominican(s)Dominicanblack, Carib AmerindianRoman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6%English (official), French patois age 15 and over has ever attended school 94% 94% 94% (1970 est.)Commonwealth of DominicaDominicaparliamentary democracy; republic within the CommonwealthRoseau10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter3 November 1978 (from UK)Independence Day, 3 November (1978)3 November 1978based on English common law18 years of age; universalPresident Vernon Lordon SHAW (since 6 October 1998)Prime Minister Pierre CHARLES (since 1 October 2000); note - assumed post after death of Roosevelt DOUGLASCabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 6 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003); prime minister appointed by the president Vernon Lordon SHAW elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA%unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms) last held 31 January 2000 (next to be held by NA 2005) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -DLP 11, UWP 8, DFP 2Eastern 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)Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Pierre CHARLES]; United Workers Party or UWP [Edison JAMES]Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (resident in Dominica) 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 364-6781 [1] (202) 364-6791 New Yorkgreen, 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) Dominica EconomyThe economy depends on agriculture and is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions, notably tropical storms. Agriculture, primarily bananas, accounts for 21% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the lack of an international airport. Hurricane Luis devastated the country s banana crop in September 1995; tropical storms had wiped out one-quarter of the crop in 1994 as well. The subsequent recovery has been fueled by increases in construction, soap production, and tourist arrivals. The government is attempting to develop an offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island s production base.purchasing power parity - $290 million (2000 est.)0.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2000 est.)21%16%63% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (2000 est.)25,000agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28%20% (1999 est.)$72 million$79.9 million, including capital expenditures of $11.5 million (FY97/98)soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes-10% (1997 est.)62 million kWh (1999)48.39%51.61%0% 0% (1999)57.7 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited$60.7 million (2000 est.)bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, orangesCaricom countries 47%, UK 36%, US 7% (1996 est.)$126 million (2000 est.)manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicalsUS 41%, Caricom countries 25%, UK 13%, Netherlands, Canada (1996 est.)$108.9 million (1999)$24.4 million (1995)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)1 July - 30 June Dominica Communications19,000 (1996)461 (1996) NA fully automatic network microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint LuciaAM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)46,000 (1997)0 (however, there is one cable television company) (1997)6,000 (1997).dm16 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km750 km375 km375 km (2001)nonePortsmouth, Roseau Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.)Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Coast Guard)$NANA%international- nonetransshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer; banking industry is vulnerable to money launderingDominican RepublicA legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of the 20th century was brought to an end in 1996 when free and open elections ushered in a new government.Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti19 00 N, 70 40 WCentral America and the Caribbean48,730 sq km48,380 sq km350 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of New Hampshiretotal- 275 kmHaiti 275 km1,288 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM6 NMtropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfallrugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersedLago Enriquillo -46 mPico Duarte 3,175 mnickel, bauxite, gold, silver21%9%43%12%15% (1993 est.)2,300 sq km (1993 est.)lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughtswater shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation; Hurricane Georges damageBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionLaw of the Seashares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)8,581,477 (July 2001 est.) 34.11% (male 1,495,477; female 1,431,406) 60.99% (male 2,664,679; female 2,569,398) 4.9% (male 199,240; female 221,277) (2001 est.)1.63% (2001 est.)24.77 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-3.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)34.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.44 years 71.34 years 75.64 years (2001 est.)2.97 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.8% (1999 est.)130,000 (1999 est.)4,900 (1999 est.)Dominican(s)Dominicanwhite 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%Roman Catholic 95%Spanish age 15 and over can read and write 82.1% 82% 82.2% (1995 est.)Dominican RepublicnoneRepublica Dominicananonerepresentative democracySanto Domingo29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde27 February 1844 (from Haiti)Independence Day, 27 February (1844)28 November 1966based on French civil codes18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note- members of the armed forces and police cannot votePresident Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet nominated by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term; election last held 16 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2004) Raphael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez elected president; percent of vote - Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (PRD) 49.87%, Danilo MEDINA (PLD) 24.95%, Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 24.6%bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (149 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 16 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 24, PLD 3, PRSC 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 83, PLD 49, PRSC 17Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are elected by a Council made up of members of the legislative and executive branches with the president presiding)Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hatuey DE CAMPS]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo]Collective of Popular Organizations or COPACP, Caricom (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Roberto Bienvenido SALADIN-SELIN 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-6280 [1] (202) 265-8057 Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s)- Houston, Jacksonville, Mobile, and Ponce (Puerto Rico) Ambassador Charles T. MANATT corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 [1] (809) 221-2171 [1] (809) 686-7437a 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 is at the center of the cross Dominican Republic EconomyThe Dominican economy experienced dramatic growth over the last decade, even though the economy was hit hard by Hurricane Georges in 1998. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy s largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest ten percent enjoy 40% of national income. In December 2000, the new MEJIA administration passed broad new tax legislation which it hopes will provide enough revenue to offset rising oil prices and to service foreign debt.purchasing power parity - $48.3 billion (2000 est.)8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $5,700 (2000 est.)11.3%32.2%56.5% (1999 est.)25% (1999 est.)1.6%39.6% (1989)7.9% (2000 est.)2.3 million - 2.6 millionservices and government 58.7%, industry 24.3%, agriculture 17% (1998 est.)13.8% (1999 est.)$2.3 billion$2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $867 million (1999 est.)tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco8% (2000 est.)7.29 billion kWh (1999)87.19%12.4%0% 0.41% (1999)6.78 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs$5.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meatsUS 66.1%, Netherlands 7.8%, Canada 7.6%, Russia 7.4%, UK 4.5% (1999 est.)$9.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticalsUS 25.7%, Venezuela 9.2%, Mexico 4%, Japan 3%, Panama 2.6% (1999 est.)$4.7 billion (2000 est.)$239.6 million (1995)Dominican peso (DOP)DOPDominican pesos per US dollar - 16.888 (January 2001), 16.415 (2000), 16.033 (1999), 15.267 (1998), 14.265 (1997), 13.775 (1996)calendar year Dominican Republic Communications709,000 (1997)130,149 (1997) NA relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave radio relay network 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998)1.44 million (1997)25 (1997)770,000 (1997).do24 (2000)25,000 (1999)757 km375 km 1.435-m gauge (Central Romana Railroad)142 km 0.762-m gauge (Dominican Republic Government Railway) note- 240 km operated by sugar companies in various gauges (0.558-m, 0.762-m, 1.067-m gauges) (2000)12,600 km6,224 km6,376 km (1996)nonecrude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 kmBarahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)29 (2000 est.) 13 3 2 4 3 1 (2000 est.) 16 2 4 10 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,281,035 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,430,776 (2001 est.)males- 87,404 (2001 est.)$180 million (FY98)1.1% (FY98)international- nonetransshipment 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 CanadaEcuadorThe "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). 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.Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru2 00 S, 77 30 WSouth America283,560 sq km276,840 sq km6,720 sq km note- includes Galapagos Islandsslightly smaller than Nevadatotal- 2,010 kmColombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km2,237 kmclaims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands200 NMtropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlandscoastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)Pacific Ocean 0 mChimborazo 6,267 mpetroleum, fish, timber, hydropower6%5%18%56%15% (1993 est.)5,560 sq km (1993 est.)frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; periodic droughtsdeforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastesAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsCotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world13,183,978 (July 2001 est.) 35.8% (male 2,398,801; female 2,320,537) 59.81% (male 3,900,193; female 3,984,797) 4.39% (male 269,372; female 310,278) (2001 est.)2% (2001 est.)25.99 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)34.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.33 years 68.52 years 74.28 years (2001 est.)3.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.29% (1999 est.)19,000 (1999 est.)1,400 (1999 est.)Ecuadorian(s)Ecuadorianmestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%Roman Catholic 95%Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) age 15 and over can read and write 90.1% 92% 88.2% (1995 est.)Republic of EcuadorEcuadorRepublica del EcuadorEcuadorrepublicQuito22 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, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe24 May 1822 (from Spain)Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)10 August 1998based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible votersPresident Gustavo NOBOA Bejarano (since 22 January 2000) selected president following coup that deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO Rubianes (since 28 January 2000) elected by National Congress from a slate of candidates submitted by President NABOA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Gustavo NOBOA Bejarano (since 22 January 2000) selected president following coup that deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO Rubianes (since 28 January 2000) elected by National Congress from a slate of candidates submitted by President NABOA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (no reelection); election last held 31 May 1998; runoff election held 12 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) results of the last election prior to the coup were- Jamil MAHUAD elected president; percent of vote - 51% note- a military-indigenous coup toppled democratically elected President Jamil MAHAUD on 21 January 2000; the military quickly handed power over to Vice President Gustavo NOBOA on 22 January; National Congress then elected a new vice president from a slate of candidates submitted by NOBOA; the new administration is scheduled to complete the remainder of MAHAUD s term, due to expire in January 2003unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (121 seats; 79 members are popularly elected at-large nationally to serve four-year terms; 42 members are popularly elected by province - two per province - for four-year terms) last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - DP 32, PSC 27, PRE 24, ID 18, P-NP 9, FRA 5, PCE 3, MPD 2, CFP 1; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various partiesSupreme Court or Corte Suprema (new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court)Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM]; Democratic Left or ID [Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos]; Ecuadorian Conservative Party or PCE [Sixto DURAN Ballen]; Independent National Movement or MIN [leader NA]; Pachakutik-New Country or P-NP [Rafael PANDAM]; Popular Democracy or DP [Ramiro RIVERA]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [leader NA]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president]Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Antonio VARGAS]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS]CAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Ivonne A-BAKI 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-7200 [1] (202) 667-3482 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Ambassador Gwen C. CLARE Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito APO AA 34039 [593] (2) 562-890 [593] (2) 502-052 Guayaquilthree 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 Ecuador EconomyEcuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. In recent years, growth has been uneven due to ill-conceived fiscal stabilization measures. The aftermath of El Nino and depressed oil market of 1997-98 drove Ecuador s economy into a free-fall in 1999. The beginning of 1999 saw the banking sector collapse, which helped precipitate an unprecedented default on external loans later that year. Continued economic instability drove a 70% depreciation of the currency throughout 1999, which eventually forced a desperate government to "dollarize" the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. The new president, Gustavo NOBOA has yet to complete negotiations for a long sought IMF accord. He will find it difficult to push through the reforms necessary to make "dollarization" work in the long run.purchasing power parity - $37.2 billion (2000 est.)0.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2000 est.)14%36%50% (1999 est.)50% (1999 est.)2.2%33.8% (1995)96% (2000 est.)4.2 millionagriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.)13%; note - widespread underemployment (2000 est.)planned $5.1 billion (not including revenue from potential privatizations)$5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber2.4% (1997 est.)10.065 billion kWh (1999)29.51%70.49%0% 0% (1999)9.386 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)25 million kWh (1999)bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp$5.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fishUS 37%, Colombia 5%, Italy 5%, Chile 5%, Peru 4% (1999)$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, raw materials, fuels; consumer goodsUS 30%, Colombia 13%, Venezuela 6%, Japan 5%, Venezuela 6%, Mexico 3% (1998)$15 billion (1999)$695.7 million (1995)US dollar (USD)USDsucres per US dollar - 25,000 (January 2001), 24,988.4 (2000), 11,786.8 (1999), 5,446.6 (1998), 3,988.3 (1997), 3,189.5 (1996) note- on 7 January 2000, the government passed a decree "dollarizing" the economy; on 13 March 2000, the National Congress approved a new exchange system whereby the US dollar is adopted as the main legal tender in Ecuador for all purposes; on 20 March 2000, the Central Bank of Ecuador started to exchange sucres for US dollars at a fixed rate of 25,000 sucres per US dollar; since 30 April 2000, all transactions are denominated in US dollarscalendar year Ecuador Communications899,000 (1997)160,061 (1997) NA facilities generally inadequate and unreliable satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 392, FM 27, shortwave 29 (1998)4.15 million (1997)15 (including one station on the Galapagos Islands) (1997)1.55 million (1997).ec13 (2000)20,000 (2000)965 km965 km 1.067-m gauge (2000)43,197 km8,165 km35,032 km (1999 est.)1,500 kmcrude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 kmEsmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 233,312 GRT/385,784 DWTcargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 22, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)180 (2000 est.) 59 2 5 18 15 19 (2000 est.) 121 32 89 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police (Policia Nacional)20 years of agemales age 15-49- 3,382,567 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,280,899 (2001 est.)males- 132,978 (2001 est.)$720 million (FY98)3.4% (FY98)international- nonesignificant transit country for cocaine and derivatives of coca originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgentsEgyptNominally independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. 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 ready the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure.Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip27 00 N, 30 00 EAfrica1,001,450 sq km995,450 sq km6,000 sq kmslightly more than three times the size of New Mexicototal- 2,689 kmGaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km2,450 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMdesert; hot, dry summers with moderate wintersvast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and deltaQattara Depression -133 mMount Catherine 2,629 mpetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc2%0%0%0%98% (1993 est.)32,460 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstormsagricultural 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; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resourcesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolcontrols Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees69,536,644 (July 2001 est.) 34.59% (male 12,313,585; female 11,739,072) 61.6% (male 21,614,284; female 21,217,978) 3.81% (male 1,160,967; female 1,490,758) (2001 est.)1.69% (2001 est.)24.89 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)60.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.69 years 61.62 years 65.85 years (2001 est.)3.07 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)NANAEgyptian(s)EgyptianEastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes age 15 and over can read and write 51.4% 63.6% 38.8% (1995 est.)Arab Republic of EgyptEgyptJumhuriyat Misr al-ArabiyahMisrUnited Arab Republic (with Syria)republicCairo26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa id, Dumyat, Janub Sina , Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina , Suhaj28 February 1922 (from UK)Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)11 September 1971based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981)Prime Minister Atef OBEID (since 5 October 1999)Cabinet appointed by the president president nominated by the People s Assembly for a six-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national, popular referendum; national referendum last held 26 September 1999 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president national referendum validated President MUBARAK s nomination by the People s Assembly to a fourth termbicameral system consists of 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) and the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve NA-year terms) People s Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 19 October, 29 October, 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005); Advisory Council - last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA) People s Assembly - percent of vote by party - NDP 88%, independents 8%, opposition 4%; seats by party - NDP 398, NWP 7, Tagammu 6, Nasserists 2, LSP 1, independents 38, undecided 2; Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats by party - NASupreme Constitutional CourtNasserist Arab Democratic Party or Nasserists [Dia al-din DAWUD]; National Democratic Party or NDP [President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader] - governing party; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Khalid MUHI AL-DIN]; New Wafd Party or NWP [No man GOMA]; Socialist Liberal Party or LSP [leader NA] note- formation of political parties must be approved by governmentdespite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK s potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctionedABEDA, ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Nabil FAHMY 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 895-5400 [1] (202) 244-4319, 5131 Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER 5 Latin America St., Garden City, Cairo Unit 64900, APO AE 09839-4900 [20] (2) 795-7371 [20] (2) 797-2000three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band Egypt EconomyA series of IMF arrangements - along with massive external debt relief resulting from Egypt s participation in the Gulf war coalition - helped Egypt improve its macroeconomic performance during the 1990s. Sound fiscal and monetary policies through the mid-1990s helped to tame inflation, slash budget deficits, and build up foreign reserves, while structural reforms such as privatization and new business legislation prompted increased foreign investment. By mid-1998, however, the pace of structural reform slackened, and lower combined hard currency earnings resulted in pressure on the Egyptian pound and sporadic US dollar shortages. External payments were not in crisis, but Cairo s attempts to curb demand for foreign exchange convinced some investors and currency traders that government financial operations lacked transparency and coordination. Monetary pressures have since eased, however, with the 1999-2000 higher oil prices, a rebound in tourism, and a series of mini-devaluations of the pound. The development of a gas export market is a major plus factor in future growth.purchasing power parity - $247 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.)17%32%51% (1999)22.9% (FY95/96 est.)4.4%25% (1995)3% (2000)19.9 million (2000 est.)agriculture 29%, services 49%, industry 22% (FY99)11.5% (2000 est.)$22.6 billion$26.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99)textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals2.1% (2000 est.)64.685 billion kWh (1999)76.59%23.41%0% 0% (1999)60.157 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats$7.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicalsEU 35%, Middle East 17%, Afro-Asian countries 14%, US 12% (1999)$17 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuelsEU 36%, US 14%, Afro-Asian countries 14%, Middle East 6% (1999)$31 billion (2000 est.)ODA, $2.25 billion (1999)Egyptian pound (EGP)EGPEgyptian pounds per US dollar - market rate - 3.8400 (January 2001), 3.6900 (2000), 3.4050 (1999), 3.3880 (1998), 3.3880 (1997), 3.3880 (1996)1 July - 30 June Egypt Communications3,971,500 (December 1998)380,000 (1999) large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Internet access and cellular service are available principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel and a signatory to Project Oxygen (a global submarine fiber-optic cable system)AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999)20.5 million (1997)98 (September 1995)7.7 million (1997).eg50 (2000)300,000 (2000)4,955 km4,955 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 1,560 km double track) (2000)64,000 km50,000 km14,000 km (1996)3,500 km note- including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of watercrude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 kmAlexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah, Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez181 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,336,678 GRT/1,982,220 DWTbulk 23, cargo 61, container 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger 61, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 15, short-sea passenger 3 (2000 est.)90 (2000 est.) 69 12 35 17 2 3 (2000 est.) 21 2 2 7 10 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command20 years of agemales age 15-49- 18,562,994 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 12,020,059 (2001 est.)males- 712,983 (2001 est.)$4.04 billion (FY99/00)4.1% (FY99/00)international- Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; popular transit stop for Nigerian couriersEl SalvadorEl Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost the lives of some 75,000 people, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms.Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras13 50 N, 88 55 WCentral America and the Caribbean21,040 sq km20,720 sq km320 sq kmslightly smaller than Massachusettstotal- 545 kmGuatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km307 km200 NMtropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplandsmostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateauPacific Ocean 0 mCerro El Pital 2,730 mhydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land27%8%29%5%31% (1993 est.)1,200 sq km (1993 est.)known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activitydeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes; Hurricane Mitch damageBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsLaw of the Seasmallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea6,237,662 (July 2001 est.) 37.68% (male 1,198,623; female 1,151,584) 57.27% (male 1,693,865; female 1,878,254) 5.05% (male 142,345; female 172,991) (2001 est.)1.85% (2001 est.)28.67 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-3.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)28.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 70.03 years 66.43 years 73.81 years (2001 est.)3.34 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.6% (1999 est.)20,000 (1999 est.)1,300 (1999 est.)Salvadoran(s)Salvadoranmestizo 90%, Amerindian 1%, white 9%Roman Catholic 86% note- there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El SalvadorSpanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians) age 10 and over can read and write 71.5% 73.5% 69.8% (1995 est.)Republic of El SalvadorEl SalvadorRepublica de El SalvadorEl SalvadorrepublicSan Salvador14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan15 September 1821 (from Spain)Independence Day, 15 September (1821)23 December 1983based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Francisco FLORES Perez (since 1 June 1999); Vice President Carlos QUINTANILLA Schmidt (since 1 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Francisco FLORES Perez (since 1 June 1999); Vice President Carlos QUINTANILLA Schmidt (since 1 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet selected by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2004) Francisco FLORES Perez elected president; percent of vote - Francisco FLORES (ARENA) 52%, Facundo GUARDADO (FMLN) 29%, Ruben ZAMORA (CDU) 7.5%, other (no individual above 3%) 11.5%unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve three-year terms) last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2003) percent of vote by party - ARENA 36.1%, FMLN 35.14%, PCN 8.76%, PDC 7.08%, CD 5.32%, PAN 3.75%, USC 1.47%, PLD 1.29%; seats by party - ARENA 28, FMLN 31, PCN 14, PDC 5, CD 3, PAN 1, independent 2Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly)Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rene AGUILUZ]; Democratic Convergence or CD (includes PSD, MNR, MPSC) [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general]; Democratic Party or PD [Jorge MELENDEZ]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Fabio CASTILLO]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo SALGADO, president]; National Action Party or PAN [Gustavo Rogelio SALINAS, secretary general]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, president]; National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Walter ARAUJO]; Social Christian Union or USC (formed by the merger of Christian Social Renewal Party or PRSC and Unity Movement or MU) [Abraham RODRIGUEZ, president]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 ASIBCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Rene Antonio LEON Rodriguez 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-9671 Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s)- Boston Ambassador Rose M. LIKINS Boulevard Santa Elena Final, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador Unit 3116, APO AA 34023 [503] 278-4444 [503] 278-6011three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band El Salvador EconomyEl Salvador is a struggling Central American economy which has been suffering from a weak tax collection system, factory closings, the aftermaths of Hurricane Mitch of 1998 and the devastating earthquakes of early 2001, and weak world coffee prices. On the bright side, in recent years inflation has fallen to single digit levels, and total exports have grown substantially. The trade deficit has been offset by remittances (an estimated $1.6 billion in 2000) from Salvadorans living abroad and by external aid. As of 1 January 2001, the US dollar was made legal tender alongside the colon.purchasing power parity - $24 billion (2000 est.)2.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2000 est.)12%28%60% (1999 est.)48% (1999 est.)1.2%38.3% (1995)2.5% (2000 est.)2.35 million (1999)agriculture 30%, industry 15%, services 55% (1999 est.)10% (2000 est.)$1.8 billion$2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals5% (2000 est.)3.641 billion kWh (1999)45.65%41.01%0% 13.34% (1999)3.638 billion kWh (1999)208 million kWh (1999)460 million kWh (1999)coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; shrimp; beef, dairy products$2.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricityUS 63%, Guatemala 11%, Honduras 7%, Costa Rica 4% (1999)$4.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricityUS 52%, Guatemala 9%, Mexico 6%, Costa Rica 3% (1999)$4.1 billion (2000 est.)total $252 million; $57 million from US (1999 est.)Salvadoran colon (SVC); US dollar (USD)SVC; USDSalvadoran colones per US dollar - 8.755 (fixed rate since 1993)calendar year El Salvador Communications380,000 (1998)40,163 (1997) NA nationwide microwave radio relay system satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave SystemAM 61 (plus 24 repeaters), FM 30, shortwave 0 (1998)2.75 million (1997)5 (1997)600,000 (1990).sv4 (2000)40,000 (2000)562 km562 km 0.914-m gauge note- length of route which is operational is reduced to 283 km by disuse and lack of maintainance (2001)10,029 km1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways)8,043 km (1997)Rio Lempa partially navigableAcajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El Triunfo Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)83 (2000 est.) 4 1 1 2 (2000 est.) 79 17 62 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,464,898 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 929,263 (2001 est.)males- 68,103 (2001 est.)$112 million (FY99)0.7% (FY99)international- with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be requiredtransshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for local consumption; domestic drug abuse on the riseEquatorial GuineaComposed of a mainland portion and five inhabited islands, Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by ruthless leaders who have badly mismanaged the economy since independence from 190 years of Spanish rule in 1968. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 presidential and 1999 legislative elections were widely seen as being flawed.Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon2 00 N, 10 00 EAfrica28,051 sq km28,051 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Marylandtotal- 539 kmCameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km296 km200 NM12 NMtropical; always hot, humidcoastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanicAtlantic Ocean 0 mPico Basile 3,008 moil, petroleum, timber, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium5%4%4%46%41% (1993 est.)NA sq kmviolent windstorms, flash floodstap water is not potable; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollutionnone of the selected agreementsinsular and continental regions rather widely separated486,060 (July 2001 est.) 42.56% (male 103,909; female 102,946) 53.68% (male 124,808; female 136,088) 3.76% (male 8,178; female 10,131) (2001 est.)2.46% (2001 est.)37.72 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.11 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)92.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 53.95 years 51.89 years 56.07 years (2001 est.)4.88 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.51% (1999 est.)1,100 (1999 est.)120 (1999 est.)Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)Equatorial Guinean or EquatoguineanBioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanishnominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practicesSpanish (official), French (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo age 15 and over can read and write 78.5% 89.6% 68.1% (1995 est.)Republic of Equatorial GuineaEquatorial GuineaRepublica de Guinea EcuatorialGuinea EcuatorialSpanish GuinearepublicMalabo7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas12 October 1968 (from Spain)Independence Day, 12 October (1968)approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom18 years of age; universal adultPresident Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)Prime Minister Candido Muatetema RIVAS (since 26 February 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Miguel OYONO NDONG (since NA January 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Demetrio Elo NDONG NZE FUMU (since NA January 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote to a seven-year term; election last held 25 February 1996 (next to be held NA February 2003); prime minister and vice prime ministers appointed by the president President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected with 98% of popular vote in elections marred by widespread fraudunicameral House of People s Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - PDGE 80%, UP 6%, CPDS 5%; seats by party - PDGE 75, UP 4 and CPDS 1 note- opposition parties have refused to take up their seats in the House to protest widespread irregularities in the 1999 legislative electionsSupreme TribunalConvergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido Miko ABOGO]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Miguel Esono EMAN]; Popular Union or UP [Andres Moises Bda ADA]; Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP [Victorino Bolekia BONAY, mayor of Malabo]; Union of Independent Democrats of UDI [Daniel OYONO]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Ambassador Teodoro BIYOGO NSUEA 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 518-5700 [1] (202) 528-5252 Ambassador John M. YATES; note - the US does not have an embassy in Equatorial Guinea (embassy closed September 1995); US relations with Equatorial Guinea are handled through the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon; the US State Department is considering opening a Consulate Agency in Malabothree equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) Equatorial Guinea EconomyThe 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 deterioration of the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth. A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of the government s gross corruption and mismanagement. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. The country responded favorably to the devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994. Boosts in production and high world oil prices stimulated growth in 2000, with oil accounting for 90% of greatly increased exports.purchasing power parity - $960 million (2000 est.)12% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)20%60%20% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%6% (1999 est.)NA30% (1998 est.)$47 million$43 million, including capital expenditures of $7 million (1996 est.)petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas7.4% (1994 est.)21 million kWh (1999)85.71%14.29%0% 0% (1999)19.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber$860 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum, timber, cocoaUS 62%, Spain 17%, China 9%, France 3%, Japan 3%, (1997)$300 million (f.o.b., 1999)manufactured goods and equipmentUS 35%, France 15%, Spain 10%, Cameroon 10%, UK 6% (1997)$290 million (1999 est.)$33.8 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African StatesXAFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro1 April - 31 March Equatorial Guinea Communications4,000 (1996)NA poor system with adequate government services NA international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 4 (1998)180,000 (1997)1 (1997)4,000 (1997).gq1 (2000)500 (2000)0 km2,880 km0 km2,880 km (1996)noneBata, Luba, Malabo12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,035 GRT/27,927 DWTbulk 1, cargo 7, combination bulk 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force, National Policemales age 15-49- 108,973 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 55,347 (2001 est.)$3 million (FY97/98)0.6% (FY97/98)international- tripartite maritime boundary and economic zone dispute with Cameroon and Nigeria is currently before the ICJ; maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco BayEritreaEritrea 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 on 12 December 2000.Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan15 00 N, 39 00 EAfrica121,320 sq km121,320 sq km0 sq kmslightly larger than Pennsylvaniatotal- 1,630 kmDjibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km2,234 km total; mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km12 NMhot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September except in coastal desertdominated 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 plainsnear Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 mSoira 3,018 mgold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish12%1%49%6%32% (1998 est.)280 sq km (1993 est.)frequent droughts; locust swarmsdeforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfareBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Speciesnone of the selected agreementsstrategic 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 19934,298,269 (July 2001 est.) 42.85% (male 922,691; female 918,916) 53.87% (male 1,147,927; female 1,167,705) 3.28% (male 71,232; female 69,798) (2001 est.)3.84% (2001 est.)42.52 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.07 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- according to the UNHCR, about 150,000 Eritrean refugees in Sudan have registered for voluntary repatriation, following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Sudan in January 2000 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)75.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 56.18 years 53.73 years 58.71 years (2001 est.)5.87 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.87% (1999 est.)NANAEritrean(s)Eritreanethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, ProtestantAfar, Amharic, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages NA 25% NA% NA%State of EritreaEritreaHagere ErtraErtraEritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopiatransitional 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 have now been scheduled to take place in December 2001Asmara (formerly Asmera)8 provinces (singular - awraja); Akale Guzay, Barka, Denkel, Hamasen, Sahil, Semhar, Senhit, Seraye note- in May 1995 the National Assembly adopted a resolution stating that the administrative structure of Eritrea, which had been established by former colonial powers, would consist of only six provinces when the new constitution, then being drafted, became effective in 1997; the new provinces, the names of which had not been recommended by the US Board on Geographic Names for recognition by the US Government, pending acceptable definition of the boundaries, were- Anseba, Debub, Debubawi Keyih Bahri, Gash-Barka, Maakel, and Semanawi Keyih Bahri; more recently, it has been reported that these provinces have been redesignated regions and renamed Southern Red Sea, Northern Red Sea, Anseba, Gash-Barka, Southern, and Central24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)Independence Day, 24 May (1993)the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implementedoperates on the basis of transitional laws that incorporate pre-independence statutes of the Eritrean People s Liberation Front, revised Ethiopian laws, customary laws, and post independence enacted laws18 years of age; universalPresident 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 AssemblyPresident 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 AssemblyState Council is the collective executive authority president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 8 June 1993 (next tentatively scheduled for December 2001) ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not established) 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 country-wide elections to a National Assembly are held; only 75 members will be elected to the National Assembly - the other 75 will be members of the Central Committee of the PFDJ; parliamentary elections are now scheduled for NA December 2001Supreme Court; 10 provincial courts; 29 district courtsPeople s Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, the only party recognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki, PETROS Solomon]; note - the National Assembly has appointed a committee to draft a law on political partiesEritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ; Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean Liberation Front-Revolutionary Council or ELF-RC [Ahmed NASSER]; Eritrean Liberation Front-United Organization or ELF-UO [Mohammed Said NAWD]ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Ambassador GIRMA Asmerom 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 319-1991 [1] (202) 319-1304 Ambassador William D. CLARKE Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara P. O. Box 211, Asmara [291] (1) 120004 [291] (1) 127584red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle Eritrea EconomyWith independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993, Eritrea faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country. The economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in farming and herding. The small industrial sector consists mainly of light industries with outmoded technologies. Domestic output (GDP) is substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad. Government revenues come from custom duties and taxes on income and sales. Road construction is a top domestic priority. In the long term, Eritrea may benefit from the development of offshore oil, offshore fishing, and tourism. Eritrea s economic future depends on its ability to master fundamental social and economic problems, e.g., by reducing illiteracy, promoting job creation, expanding technical training, attracting foreign investment, and streamlining the bureaucracy. Eritrea s agriculture over the last two years was severely weakened by war and drought, and many farmlands must wait to be demined. Another major difficulty is the ports, which prior to the war were Ethiopia s preferred outlets but since have seen trade dry up.purchasing power parity - $2.9 billion (2000 est.)-1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $710 (2000 est.)16%27%57% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%14% (2000 est.)NAagriculture 80%, industry and services 20%NA%$283.9 million$351.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)food processing, beverages, clothing and textilesNA%165 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)153.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh NA kWh (1999)0 kWh NA kWh (1999)sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish$26 million (f.o.b., 1999)livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufacturesSudan 27.2%, Ethiopia 26.5%, Japan 13.2%, UAE 7.3%, Italy 5.3% (1998)$560 million (c.i.f., 1999)machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goodsItaly 17.4%, UAE 16.2%, Germany 5.7%, UK 4.5%, Korea 4.4% (1998)$281 million (2000 est.)$77 million (1999)nakfa (ERN)ERNnakfa per US dollar = 9.5 (January 2000), 7.6 (January 1999), 7.2 (March 1998 est.)calendar year Eritrea Communications23,578 (2000)NA NA very inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders to improve the system NAAM 2, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2000)345,000 (1997)1 (2000)1,000 (1997).er4 (2000)500 (2000)317 km317 km 0.950-m gauge (1999) note- links Ak ordat and Asmara with the port of Massawa; nonoperational since 1978 except for about a 5 km stretch that was reopened in Massawa in 1994; rehabilitation of the remainder and of the rolling stock is under way3,850 km810 km3,040 km (2000)noneAssab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits iwa)5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,069 GRT/19,549 DWTbulk 1, cargo 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)20 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 18 2 2 5 7 2 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force$160 million (2000 est.)29.4% (2000 est.)international- as a result of the 12 December 2000 peace agreement ending a two-year war with Ethiopia, the UN will administer a 25-km wide temporary security zone within Eritrea until a joint boundary commission delimits and demarcates a final boundaryEstoniaAfter centuries of Swedish and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, 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.Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia59 00 N, 26 00 EEurope45,226 sq km43,211 sq km2,015 sq km note- includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Seaslightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combinedtotal- 633 kmLatvia 339 km, Russia 294 km3,794 kmlimits fixed in coordination with neighboring states12 NMmaritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summersmarshy, lowlandsBaltic Sea 0 mSuur Munamagi 318 mshale oil (kukersite), peat, phosphorite, amber, cambrian blue clay, limestone, dolomite, arable land25%0%11%44%20% (1996 est.)110 sq km (1996 est.)flooding occurs frequently in the springair heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products, chemicals at former Soviet military bases; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas are heavily affected by organic waste; coastal sea water is polluted in many locationsAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol1,423,316 (July 2001 est.) 17.08% (male 123,997; female 119,166) 68.14% (male 466,823; female 503,032) 14.78% (male 68,802; female 141,496) (2001 est.)-0.55% (2001 est.)8.7 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.48 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.49 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female (2001 est.)12.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.73 years 63.72 years 76.05 years (2001 est.)1.21 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.04% (1999 est.)less than 500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Estonian(s)EstonianEstonian 65.1%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Byelorussian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.8% (1998)Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, JewishEstonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, English, Finnish, other age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (1998 est.)Republic of EstoniaEstoniaEesti VabariikEestiEstonian Soviet Socialist Republicparliamentary democracyTallinn15 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 (Kuessaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) note- counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 6 September 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Unionadopted 28 June 1992based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizensPresident Lennart MERI (since 5 October 1992)Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since 29 March 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held August-September 1996 (next to be held in the fall of 2001); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament Lennart MERI reelected president by an electoral assembly after Parliament was unable to break a deadlock between MERI and RUUTEL; percent of electoral assembly vote - Lennart MERI 61%, Arnold RUUTEL 39%unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Center Party 28, Union of Pro Patria (Fatherland League) 18, Reform Party 18, Moderates 17, Country People s Party (Agrarians) 7, Coalition Party 7, UPPE 6National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)Center Party or K [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Christian People s Party [Aldo VINKEL]; Coalition Party and Rural Union or KMU [Andrus OOBEL, chairman]; Estonian Democratic Party (formerly Estonian Blue Party) [Jaan LAAS]; Estonian Independence Party [leader NA]; Estonian National Democratic Party or ENDP [leader NA]; Estonian Pensioners and Families Party [Mai TREIAL]; Estonian Progressive Party [Andra VEIDEMANN]; Estonian Republican Party [leader NA]; Estonian Social-Democratic Labor Party [Tiit TOOMSALU]; Estonian Rural People s Union (1999 merger of Estonian Country People s Party and the Estonian Rural Union) [Arvo SIRENDI]; Party of Consolidation Today [leader NA]; People s Party Moderates (1999 merger of People s Party and Moderates) [Andres TARAND]; Reform Party or RE [Siim KALLAS, chairman]; Russian Party in Estonia [Nikolai MASPANOV]; Russian Unity Party [Igor SEDASHEV]; Union of Pro Patria or Fatherland League (Isamaaliit) [Mart LAAR, chairman]; United People s Party or UPPE [Viktor ANDREJEV, chairman]NABIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Sven JURGENSON 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-0101 [1] (202) 588-0108 New York Ambassador Melissa WELLS Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn use embassy street address [372] 668-8100 [372] 668-8134pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Estonia EconomyIn 2000, Estonia rebounded from the Russian financial crisis by scaling back its budget and reorienting trade away from Russian markets into EU member states. After GDP shrank 1.1% in 1999, the economy made a strong recovery in 2000, with growth estimated at 6.4% - the highest in Central and Eastern Europe. Estonia joined the World Trade Organization in November 1999 - the second Baltic state to join - and continues its EU accession talks. For 2001, Estonians predict GDP to grow around 6%, inflation of between 4.2%-5.3%, and a balanced budget. Substantial gains were made in completing privatization of Estonia s few remaining large, state-owned companies in 2000, and this momentum is expected to continue in 2001. Estonia hopes to join the EU during the next round of enlargement tentatively set for 2004.purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (2000 est.)6.4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2000 est.)3.6%30.7%65.7% (1999)8.9% (1995 est.)3.2%28.5% (1996)4.1% (1999 est.)785,500 (1999 est.)industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services 69% (1999 est.)11.7% (1999 est.)$1.37 billion$1.37 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel5% (2000 est.)7.782 billion kWh (1999)99.72%0.09%0% 0.19% (1999)6.807 billion kWh (1999)530 million kWh (1999)100 million kWh (1999)potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish$3.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment 24%, wood products 20%, textiles 17%, food products 9%, metals, chemical products (1999)Finland 19.4%, Sweden 18.8%, Russia 9.2%, Latvia 8.7%, Germany 7.5%, US 2.5% (1999)$4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment 31%, chemical products 13%, foodstuffs 11%, metal products 8%, textiles 8% (1999)Finland 22.8%, Russia 13.5%, Sweden 9.3%, Germany 9.3%, Japan 4.7% (1999)$1.6 billion (2000 est.)$137.3 million (1995)Estonian kroon (EEK)EEKkrooni per US dollar - 16.663 (January 2001), 16.969 (2000), 14.678 (1999), 14.075 (1998), 13.882 (1997), 12.034 (1996); note - krooni are tied to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1calendar year Estonia Communications476,078 (yearend 1998)475,000 (yearend 2000) foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; Internet services available throughout most of the country; about 150,000 unfilled subscriber requests local - the Ministry of Transport and Communications is expanding cellular telephone services to form rural networks; intercity - highly developed fiber-optic backbone (double loop) system presently serving at least 16 major cities (1998) fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in TallinnAM 3 (all AM stations inactive since July 1998), FM 82, shortwave 1 (1998)1.01 million (1997)31 (plus five repeaters) (September 1995)605,000 (1997).ee28 (2000)309,000 (2000)1,018 km common carrier lines only; does not include dedicated industrial lines broad gauge- 1,018 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (1995)30,300 km29,200 km (including 75 km of expressways); note - these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather1,100 km (2000)320 km (perennially navigable)natural gas 420 km (1992)Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 253,460 GRT/219,727 DWTbulk 2, cargo 19, combination bulk 1, container 5, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea passenger 6 (2000 est.)32 (2000 est.) 8 7 1 (2000 est.) 24 1 5 7 5 6 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Navy/Coast Guard, Air and Air Defense Force (not officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 359,677 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 282,418 (2001 est.)males- 11,164 (2001 est.)$70 million (FY99)1.2% (FY99)international- Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996 which has not been signed nor ratified by Russia as of February 2001transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to Scandinavia; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking; synthetic drug production growing, trafficked to Russia, Baltics, FinlandEthiopiaUnique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, one exception being the Italian occupation of 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 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in 1991. A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia s first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea that ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000 has strengthened the ruling coalition, but has hurt the nation s economy.Eastern Africa, west of Somalia8 00 N, 38 00 EAfrica1,127,127 sq km1,119,683 sq km7,444 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Texastotal- 5,311 kmDjibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 830 km, Somalia 1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variationhigh plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift ValleyDenakil Depression -125 mRas Dejen 4,620 msmall reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower12%1%40%25%22% (1993 est.)1,900 sq km (1993 est.)geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughtsdeforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer ProtectionEnvironmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Banlandlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 199365,891,874 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 47.18% (male 15,647,675; female 15,442,348) 50.03% (male 16,584,765; female 16,378,060) 2.79% (male 834,825; female 1,004,201) (2001 est.)2.7% (2001 est.)44.68 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)17.84 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan for refuge from war and famine in earlier years is expected to continue for several years; small numbers of Sudanese and Somali refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to their homes 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)99.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 44.68 years 43.88 years 45.51 years (2001 est.)7 children born/woman (2001 est.)10.63% (1999 est.)3 million (1999 est.)280,000 (1999 est.)Ethiopian(s)EthiopianOromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools) age 15 and over can read and write 35.5% 45.5% 25.3% (1995 est.)Federal Democratic Republic of EthiopiaEthiopiaItyop iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi RipeblikItyop iyaAbyssinia, Italian East Africa abbreviation- FDREfederal republicAddis Ababa9 ethnically-based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular - astedader)- Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa); Afar; Amara, Binshangul Gumuz; Dire Dawa*; Gambela Hizboch; Hareri Hizb; Oromiya; Sumale; Tigray; YeDebub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region)oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 yearsNational Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)ratified December 1994; effective 22 August 1995currently transitional mix of national and regional courts18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President NEGASSO Gidada (since 22 August 1995)Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August 1995)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 president elected by the House of People s Representatives for a six-year term; election last held NA June 1995 (next to be held NA May 2001); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections NEGASSO Gidada elected president; percent of vote by the House of People s Representatives - NA%bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation or upper chamber (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the House of People s Representatives or lower chamber (548 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms) last held 14 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) percent of vote - NA%; seats - OPDO 177, ANDM 134, TPLF 38, WGGPDO 27, EPRDF 19, SPDO 18, GNDM 15, KSPDO 10, ANDP 8, GPRDF 7, SOPDM 7, BGPDUF 6, BMPDO 5, KAT 4, other regional political groupings 22, independents 8; note - 43 seats unconfirmed note- irregularities and violence at a number of polling stations necessitated the rescheduling of voting in certain constituencies; voting postponed in Somali regional state because of severe droughtFederal 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)Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [leader NA]; All-Amhara People s Organization or AAPO [KEGNAZ MATCH Neguea Tibeb]; Amhara National Democratic Movement or ANDM [TEFERA Walwa]; Bench Madji People s Democratic Organization or BMPDO [leader NA]; Benishangul Gumuz People s Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [leader NA]; Coalition of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy or CAFPD [Kifle TIGNEH Abate and BEYENE Petros]; Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party or EDUP [Lt. Gen. TESFAYE Gebre Kidan]; Ethiopian National Democratic Party or ENDP [FEKADU Gedamu]; Ethiopian People s Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] (an alliance of the ANDM, OPDO, and TPLF); Gedeyo People s Revolutionary Democratic Movement or GPRDF [leader NA]; Gurange Nationalities Democratic Movement or GNDM [leader NA]; Kafa Shaka People s Democratic Organization or KSPDO [leader NA]; Kembata, Alabaa, and Tembaro or KAT [leader NA]; Oromo Liberation Front or OLF [DAOUD Ibsa Gudina]; Oromo People s Democratic Organization or OPDO [KUMA Demeksa]; Sidama People s Democratic Organization or SPDO [leader NA]; South Omo People s Democratic Movement or SOPDM [leader NA]; Tigrai People s Liberation Front or TPLF [MELES Zenawi]; Walayta, Gamo, Gofa, Dawro, Konta People s Democratic Organization or WGGPDO [leader NA]; dozens of small partiesSouthern Ethiopia People s Democratic Coalition; numerous small, ethnically based groups have formed since the defeat of the former MENGISTU regime in 1991, including several Islamic militant groupsACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Ambassador (vacant) 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 364-1200 [1] (202) 686-9857 Ambassador Tibor P. NAGY, Jr. Entoto Street, Addis Ababa P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa [251] (1) 550666 [251] (1) 551328three 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 colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors Ethiopia EconomyEthiopia s economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent periods of drought and poor cultivation practices, and as many as 4.6 million people need food assistance annually. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy, and Ethiopia earned $267 million in 1999 by exporting 105,000 metric tons. According to current estimates, coffee contributes 10% of Ethiopia s GDP. More than 15 million people (25% of the population) derive their livelihood from the coffee sector. Other exports include live animals, hides, gold, and qat. In December 1999, Ethiopia signed a $1.4 billion joint venture deal to develop a huge natural gas field in the Somali Regional State. The war with Eritrea forced the government to spend scarce resources on the military and to scale back ambitious development plans. Foreign investment has declined significantly. Government taxes imposed in late 1999 to raise money for the war depressed an already weak economy. The war forced the government to improve roads and other parts of the previously neglected infrastructure, but only certain regions of the nation benefited. Recovery from the war is mostly contingent on natural factors. A drought has continued into the end of 2000 and food relief is expected to be needed through mid-2001 at least. Ethiopia may receive Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief by the end of the year.purchasing power parity - $39.2 billion (2000 est.)2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $600 (2000 est.)45%12%43% (1999 est.)NA%3%33.7% (1995)5% (2000 est.)NAagriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985)NA%$1 billion$1.48 billion, including capital expenditures of $415 million (FY96/97)food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cementNA%1.625 billion kWh (1999)3.08%96.92%0% 0% (1999)1.511 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, qat; hides, cattle, sheep, goats$460 million (f.o.b., 1999)coffee, gold, leather products, oilseeds, qatGermany 16%, Japan 13%, Djibouti 10%, Saudi Arabia 7% (1999 est.)$1.25 billion (f.o.b., 1999)food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehiclesSaudi Arabia 28%, Italy 10%, Russia 7%, US 6% (1999 est.)$10 billion (1999 est.)$367 million (FY95/96)birr (ETB)ETBbirr per US dollar (end of period) - 8.3140 (December 2000), 8.3140 (2000), 8.1340 (1999), 7.5030 (1998), 6.8640 (1997), 6.4260 (1996) note- since May 1993, the birr market rate has been determined in an interbank market supported by weekly wholesale auction8 July - 7 July Ethiopia Communications157,000 (1997)4,000 (1999) open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use open wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service 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)AM 5, FM 0, shortwave 2 (1999)11.75 million (1997)25 (1999)320,000 (1997).et1 (2000)7,200 (1999)681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad)681 km 1.000-m gauge note- in April 1998, Djibouti and Ethiopia announced plans to revitalize the century-old railroad that links their capitals; since May 1998 Ethiopia has expended considerable effort to repair and maintain the lines24,145 km3,290 km20,855 km (1998)nonenone; Ethiopia is landlocked and was by agreement with Eritrea using the ports of Assab and Massawa; since the border dispute with Eritrea flared, Ethiopia has used the port of Djibouti for nearly all of its imports11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 85,382 GRT/108,526 DWTcargo 6, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 3 (2000 est.)86 (2000 est.) 12 3 5 3 1 (2000 est.) 74 2 7 10 35 20 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Air Force, Police, Militia note- Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the independence of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in Eritrean possession and ships which belonged to the former Ethiopian Navy and based at Djibouti have been sold18 years of agemales age 15-49- 14,537,884 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 7,581,815 (2001 est.)males- 703,625 (2001 est.)$138 million (FY98/99)2.5% (FY98/99)international- most of the southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; as a result of the 12 December 2000 peace agreement ending a two year war with Eritrea, the UN will administer a 25-km wide temporary security zone within Eritrea until a joint boundary commission delimits and demarcates a final boundary; dispute over alignment of boundary with Eritrea led to armed conflict in 1998; a peace accord signed in December 2000 provides for UN-assisted arbitration and demarcation of the bordertransit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and SomaliaEuropa IslandA French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique22 20 S, 40 22 EAfrica28 sq km28 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC0 km22.2 km200 NM12 NMtropicallow and flatIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location 24 mNEGL0%0%0%100%0%0 sq km (1993)NANAwildlife sanctuaryno indigenous inhabitants note- there is a small French military garrison (July 2001 est.)noneEuropa IslandnoneIle Europapossession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunionthe laws of France, where applicable, applythe flag of France is used Europa Island Economyno economic activity Europa Island Communications Communications - note- 1 meteorological stationnonenone; offshore anchorage only1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- claimed by MadagascarFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)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 Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina51 45 S, 59 00 WSouth America12,173 sq km12,173 sq km0 sq km note- includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islandsslightly smaller than Connecticut0 km1,288 km200 NM exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMcold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulaterocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plainsAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Usborne 705 mfish, wildlife0%0%99%0%1% (1993 est.)NA sq kmstrong winds persist throughout the yearNAdeeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season2,895 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%2.43% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANAFalkland Islander(s)Falkland IslandBritishprimarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah s Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day AdventistEnglishnoneFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Dependency status- overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by ArgentinaNAStanleynone (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Governor Donald LAMONT (since NA May 1999); Chief Executive A. M. GURR (since NA); Financial Secretary D. F. HOWATT (since NA)Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarchunicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms) presided over by the governor last held 9 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2001) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions)none; all independentsnoneICFTUblue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) EconomyThe 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 Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to 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. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; 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.purchasing power parity - $52 million (FY95/96 est.)1% (FY95/96 est.)purchasing power parity - $19,000 (FY95/96 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%3.6% (1998)1,100 (est.)agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)full employment; labor shortage$66.2 million$67.9 million, including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.)wool and fish processing; sale of stamps and coinsNA%12 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)11.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products$7.6 million (1995)wool, hides, meatUK, Japan, Chile, NZ$24.7 million (1995)fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothingUK, Japan, Chile, NZ$NA$1.7 million (1995)Falkland pound (FKP)FKPFalkland pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound1 April - 31 March Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) CommunicationsNANA NA government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countriesAM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998)1,000 (1997)2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service) (1997)1,000 (1997).fk2 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km440 km50 km390 kmnoneStanley Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)5 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 3 (2000 est.)British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force$NANA% Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- claimed by ArgentinaFaroe IslandsThe 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.Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway62 00 N, 7 00 WEurope1,399 sq km1,399 sq km0 sq km (some lakes and streams)eight times the size of Washington, DC0 km1,117 km200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line3 NMmild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windyrugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coastAtlantic Ocean 0 mSlaettaratindur 882 mfish, whales, hydropower6%0%0%0%94% (1996)0 sq kmNANAarchipelago 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 lowlands45,661 (July 2001 est.) 22.62% (male 5,193; female 5,136) 63.64% (male 15,463; female 13,596) 13.74% (male 2,802; female 3,471) (2001 est.)0.78% (2001 est.)13.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.59 years 75.12 years 82.06 years2.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAFaroese (singular and plural)FaroeseScandinavianEvangelical LutheranFaroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish NA NA% NA% NA% note- similar to Denmark propernoneFaroe IslandsnoneForoyarpart of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948NATorshavnnone (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 49 municipalitiesnone (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)Olaifest, 29 July5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)Danish18 years of age; universalQueen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Ms. Vibeke LARSEN, chief administrative officer (since NA)Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 15 May 1998)Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held no later than April 2002) Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8% note- coalition of People s Party, Republican Party and Home Rule Partyunicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held not later than April 2002) percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.8%, People s Party 21.3%, Social Democratic Party 21.9%, Union Party 18%, Home Rue Party 7.7%, Center Party 4.1%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, People s Party 8, Social Democratic Party 7, Union Party 6, Home Rule Party 2, Center Party 1 note- election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 11 March 1998 (next to be held not later than March 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, People s Party 1noneCenter Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; People s Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN]NANC, NIBwhite with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Faroe Islands EconomyThe Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is required to ensure a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus less dependence on Denmark and Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.purchasing power parity - $910 million (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2000 est.)27%11%62% (1999)NA%NA%NA%5.1% (1999)24,250 (October 2000)fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%1% (October 2000)$488 million$484 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999)fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts8% (1999 est.)170 million kWh (1999)58.82%41.18%0% 0% (1999)158.1 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish$471 million (f.o.b., 1999)fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)Denmark 32%, UK 21%, France 9%, Germany 7%, Iceland 5%, US 5% (1996)$469 million (c.i.f., 1999)machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999)Denmark 28%, Norway 26%, Germany 7%, UK 6% Sweden 5%, Iceland 4%, US (1999)$64 million (1999)$135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1999)Danish krone (DKK)DKKDanish kroner per US dollar - 7.951 (January 2001), 8.093 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1966)calendar year Faroe Islands Communications24,851 (1999)10,761 (1999) good international communications; good domestic facilities digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cableAM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)26,000 (1997)3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)15,000 (1997).fo2 (2000)3,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km463 km454 km9 km (1999)noneTorshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjorour6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,247 GRT/11,736 DWTcargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)defense is the responsibility of Denmark; no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained$NANA% Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Denmarkinternational- Faroese are considering proposals for full independenceFijiFiji 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). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May of 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. New elections are scheduled for August 2001.Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand18 00 S, 175 00 EOceania18,270 sq km18,270 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than New Jersey0 km1,129 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added200 NM12 NMtropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variationmostly mountains of volcanic originPacific Ocean 0 mTomanivi 1,324 mtimber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower10%4%10%65%11% (1993 est.)10 sq km (1993 est.)cyclonic storms can occur from November to Januarydeforestation; soil erosionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94none of the selected agreementsincludes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited844,330 (July 2001 est.) 32.92% (male 141,724; female 136,216) 63.52% (male 268,411; female 267,871) 3.56% (male 14,007; female 16,101) (2001 est.)1.41% (2001 est.)23.33 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.75 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.25 years 65.83 years 70.78 years (2001 est.)2.86 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.07% (1999 est.)NANAFijian(s)FijianFijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.)Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note- Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986)English (official), Fijian, Hindustani age 15 and over can read and write 91.6% 93.8% 89.3% (1995 est.)Republic of the Fiji IslandsFijirepublic note- military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987Suva4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western10 October 1970 (from UK)Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; amended 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note - the May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and introduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the first time at the national levelbased on British system21 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesnote- armed ethnic Fijian terrorists, led by George SPEIGHT stormed the Parliament building on 19 May 2000; ethnic Indo-Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra CHAUDHRY and his government were held hostage for 56 days; following the attempted coup, the Commander of the Fiji Military Forces, naval Commodore Frank BAINIMARAMA declared martial law and dissolved the government on 29 May 2000; an interim government, headed by interim Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE, was appointed to serve until a new constitution was initiated and subsequent elections held; in November 2000, Fiji s High Court upheld the 1997 constitution and ruled that Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA remained the president; Justice Anthony GATES concluded that MARA should recall the pre-May 19th Parliament and appoint a prime minister to form a new government; the Fiji Court of Appeals upheld GATES decision on 1 March 2001; it ruled that the 1997 constitution had not been abrogated, Parliament had not been dissolved, only prorogued for six months, and that the presidency remained vacant since MARA s resignation took effect 15 December 2000; President Ratu Josefa ILOILO reinstated QARASE s interim government as the caretaker government and elections were scheduled for August 2001; approximately 23 fluid political parties are currently jockeying for powerPresident Ratu Josefa ILOILO (since NA 2000); Vice President Jope SENILOLI (since NA 2000)Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since NA 2000); Deputy Prime Minister Epeli NAILATIKAU (since NA 2000)Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note -there is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs which consists of the highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president Ratu Josefa ILOILO elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, nine appointed by the prime minister, eight appointed by the leader of the opposition, and one appointed by the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved for other ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open; members serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 11 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fiji Labor Party 37, others 34Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; Fijian Nationalist Federation Party or NFP [Singh RAKKA]; Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA]; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Jai Ram REDDY]; United General Party or UGP [David PICKERING]NAACP, AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affaires ad interim Salaseini Lelelvawalu VOSAILAGI Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 337-8320 [1] (202) 337-1996 Ambassador Osman M. SIDDIQUE 31 Loftus Street, Suva P. O. Box 218, Suva [679] 314466 [679] 300081light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Fiji EconomyFiji, 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 and a growing tourist industry are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 300,000 tourists visit each year, including thousands of Americans following the start of regularly scheduled non-stop air service from Los Angeles. Fiji s growth slowed in 1997 because the sugar industry suffered from low world prices and rent disputes between farmers and landowners. Drought in 1998 further damaged the sugar industry, but its recovery in 1999 contributed to robust GDP growth. Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property rights. The political turmoil in Fiji has had a severe impact with the economy shrinking by 8% in 1999 and over 7,000 people losing their jobs. The interim government s 2001 budget is an attempt to attract foreign investment and restart economic activity. The government s ability to manage the budget and fulfill predictions of 4% growth for 2001 will depend on a return to stability, a regaining of investor confidence, and the absence of international sanctions (which could cripple Fiji s sugar and textile industry).purchasing power parity - $5.9 billion (1999 est.)-8% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,300 (1999 est.)16%30%54% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%0% (1999 est.)235,000subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987)6% (1997 est.)$610 million$501 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries2.9% (1995)510 million kWh (1999)17.65%82.35%0% 0% (1999)474.3 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish$537 million (f.o.b., 1999)sugar, garments, gold, timber, fishAustralia 33.1%, US 14.8%, UK 13.8%, other Pacific island countries 8.8%, NZ 4.5%, Japan 4.5% (1999)$653 million (f.o.b., 1999)manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicalsAustralia 41.9%, US 14%, NZ 13.3%, Japan 4.8%, Taiwan 1.9% (1999)$193 million (1998)$40.3 million (1995)Fijian dollar (FJD)FJDFijian dollars per US dollar - 2.1814 (January 2001), 2.1286 (2000), 1.9696 (1999), 1.9868 (1998), 1.4437 (1997), 1.4033 (1996)calendar year Fiji Communications72,000 (1997)5,200 (1997) modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center NA access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)500,000 (1997)NA21,000 (1997).fj2 (2000)7,500 (2000)597 km; note - belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation597 km 0.610-m gauge (1995)3,440 km1,692 km1,748 km (1996)203 km note- 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton bargesLambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,870 GRT/14,787 DWTchemical tanker 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)27 (2000 est.) 3 1 1 1 (2000 est.) 24 1 4 19 (2000 est.)Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes ground and naval forces)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 227,599 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 125,238 (2001 est.)males- 9,471 (2001 est.)$24 million (FY98)1.1% (FY98)international- noneFinlandRuled by Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and by Russia from 1809, Finland finally won its independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and fend off invasions by the Soviet Union and Germany. In the subsequent half century, the Finns have made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia64 00 N, 26 00 EEurope337,030 sq km305,470 sq km31,560 sq kmslightly smaller than Montanatotal- 2,628 kmNorway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone- 12 NM12 NM (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 NM)cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakesmostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hillsBaltic Sea 0 mHaltiatunturi 1,328 mtimber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver8%0%0%76%16% (1993 est.)640 sq km (1993 est.)NAair pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populationsAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollong boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain5,175,783 (July 2001 est.) 18% (male 474,967; female 456,584) 66.97% (male 1,750,660; female 1,715,358) 15.03% (male 300,569; female 477,645) (2001 est.)0.16% (2001 est.)10.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.75 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.58 years 73.92 years 81.36 years (2001 est.)1.7 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.05% (1999 est.)1,100 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Finn(s)FinnishFinn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities age 15 and over can read and write 100% (1980 est.) NA% NA%Republic of FinlandFinlandSuomen TasavaltaSuomirepublicHelsinki6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani6 December 1917 (from Russia)Independence Day, 6 December (1917)17 July 1919civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995)Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 6 February 2000 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed from the majority party by the president after parliamentary elections Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esco AHO (Kesk) 48.4% note- government coalition - SDP, Kok, Leftist Alliance (People s Democratic Union and Democratic Alternative), SFP, and Green Unionunicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) last held 21 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003) percent of vote by party - SDP 22.9%, Kesk 22.5%, Kok 21.0%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.9%, SFP 5.1%, Green Union 7.2%, SKL 4.2%; seats by party - SDP 51, Kesk 48, Kok 46, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 20, SFP 11, Green Union 11, SKL 10, other 3Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)Center Party or Kesk [Esko AHO]; Finnish Christian Union or SKL [C. P. Bjarne KALLIS]; Green Union [Satu HASSI]; Leftist Alliance (Communist) composed of People s Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Sauli NIINISTO]; Reform Group [Risto KUISMA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Paavo LIPPONEN]; Swedish People s Party or SFP [Jan-Erik ENESTAM]; True Finns [Timo SOINI]Communist Workers Party [Timo LAHDENMAKI]; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Communist Party-Unity [Yrjo HAKANEN]; Finnish Pensioners PartyAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Jaakko Tapani LAAJAVA 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 298-5800 [1] (202) 298-6030 Los Angeles and New York Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affaires Carol VAN VOORST Itainen Puistotie 14B, FIN-00140, Helsinki APO AE 09723 [358] (9) 171931 [358] (9) 174681white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Finland EconomyFinland 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, with exports equaling more than one-third of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe - Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the euro monetary system (EMU) on 1 January 1999 - will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2001 will be bolstered by strong private consumption, yet may be 1 or 2 points lower than in 2000, largely because of a weakening in export demand.purchasing power parity - $118.3 billion (2000 est.)5.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $22,900 (2000 est.)3.5%29%67.5% (1999)NA%4.2%21.6% (1991)3.4% (2000 est.)2.6 million (2000 est.)public services 32%, industry 22%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, agriculture and forestry 8%, transport and communications 8%, construction 6%9.8% (2000 est.)$36.1 billion$31 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing7.5% (2000)75.792 billion kWh (1999)41.88%16.77%28.82% 12.53% (1999)81.611 billion kWh (1999)232 million kWh (1999)11.356 billion kWh (1999)cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish$44.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulpEU 58% (Germany 13%, Sweden 10%, UK 9%, France 5%, Netherlands 4%), US 8%, Russia, Japan (1999)$32.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grainsEU 60% (Germany 15%, Sweden 11%, UK 7%), US 8%, Russia 7%, Japan 6% (1999)$30 billion (December 1993) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $379 million (1997)markka (FIM); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Finland at a fixed rate of 5.94573 markkaa per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002FIM; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); markkaa per US dollar - 5.3441 (1998), 5.1914 (1997), 4.5936 (1996)calendar year Finland Communications2.861 million (1997)2,162,574 (1997) modern system with excellent service cable, microwave radio relay, and an extensive cellular net provide domestic needs 1 submarine cable; 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)AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)7.7 million (1997)130 (plus 385 repeaters) (1995)3.2 million (1997).fi23 (2000)2.27 million (2000)5,865 km broad gauge- 5,865 km 1.524-m gauge (2,192 km electrified; 480 km double or multiple track) (1998)77,796 km49,789 km (including 444 km of expressways)28,042 km (1999)6,675 km note- includes Saimaa Canal; 3,700 km suitable for large shipsnatural gas 580 kmHamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus98 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,172,808 GRT/1,138,175 DWTbulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 5, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 11, railcar carrier 1, roll on/roll off 37, short-sea passenger 11 (2000 est.)159 (2000 est.) 69 3 26 10 20 10 (2000 est.) 90 6 84 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea Guard)17 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,251,700 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,033,188 (2001 est.)males- 33,883 (2001 est.)$1.8 billion (FY98)2% (FY98)international- noneFranceAlthough 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 presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the advent of the euro in January 1999. Presently, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus.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 Spain46 00 N, 2 00 EEurope547,030 sq km545,630 sq km1,400 sq km note- includes only metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisionsslightly less than twice the size of Coloradototal- 2,889 kmAndorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km3,427 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM (does not apply to the Mediterranean)12 NMgenerally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistralmostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in eastRhone River delta -2 mMont Blanc 4,807 mcoal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, potash, timber, fish33%2%20%27%18% (1993 est.)16,300 sq km (1995 est.)flooding; avalanchessome forest damage from acid rain (major forest damage occurred as a result of severe December 1999 windstorm); air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoffAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollargest West European nation59,551,227 (July 2001 est.) 18.68% (male 5,698,604; female 5,426,838) 65.19% (male 19,424,018; female 19,399,588) 16.13% (male 3,900,579; female 5,701,600) (2001 est.)0.37% (2001 est.)12.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.09 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.9 years 75.01 years 83.01 years (2001 est.)1.75 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.44% (1999 est.)130,000 (1999 est.)2,000 (1999 est.)Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)FrenchCeltic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minoritiesRoman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers) 3%, unaffiliated 4%French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (1980 est.)French RepublicFranceRepublique FrancaiseFrancerepublicParis22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d Azur, Rhone-Alpes note- metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon) Dependent areas- Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note- the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica486 (unified by Clovis)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)Prime Minister Lionel JOSPIN (since 3 June 1997)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 23 April and 7 May 1995 (next to be held by May 2002); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president Jacques CHIRAC elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 52.64%, Lionel JOSPIN (PS) 47.36%bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majoritarian system to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held September 2001); National Assembly - last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA May 2002) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 99, UDC 52, DL 47, PS 78, PCF 16, other 29; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PS 245, RPR 140, UDF 109, PCF 37, PRS 13, MEI 8, MDC 7, LDI-MPF 1, FN 1, various left 9, various right 7Supreme 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 EtatCitizens Movement or MdC [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT]; French Communist Party or PCF [Robert HUE]; Independent Ecological Movement or MEI [Antoine WAECHTER]; Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Liberal Democracy or DL (originally Republican Party or PR) [Alain MADELIN]; Movement for France or MPF [Philippe DEVILLIERS]; National Front or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michelle ALLIOT-MARIE]; Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (coalition of UDC, FD, RRRS, PPDF) [Francois BAYROU]; Union of the Center or UDC [leader NA]Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) or CGT, nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); independent labor union or Force Ouvriere, 1 million members (est.); independent white-collar union or Confederation Generale des Cadres, 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais) or CNPF or Patronat; Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail) or CFDT, about 800,000 members (est.)ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Francois V. BUJON DE L ESTANG 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 944-6000 [1] (202) 944-6166 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador-designate Howard H. LEACH; Charge d Affaires Douglas L. McELHANEY 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08 PSC 116, APO AE 09777 [33] (1) 43-12-22-22 [33] (1) 42 66 97 83 Marseille, Strasbourgthree equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); 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 France EconomyFrance is in the midst of transition, from an economy that featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government remains dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries, but it has been relaxing its control since the mid-1980s. The Socialist-led government has sold off part of its holdings in France Telecom, Air France, Thales, Thomson Multimedia, and the European Aerospace and Defense Company (EADS). 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. The government has done little to cut generous unemployment and retirement benefits which impose a heavy tax burden and discourage hiring. It has also shied from measures that would dramatically increase the use of stock options and retirement investment plans; such measures would boost the stock market and fast-growing IT firms as well as ease the burden on the pension system, but would disproportionately benefit the rich. In addition to the tax burden, the reduction of the work week to 35-hours has drawn criticism for lowering the competitiveness of French companies.purchasing power parity - $1.448 trillion (2000 est.)3.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $24,400 (2000 est.)3.3%26.1%70.6% (1999)NA%2.8%25.1% (1995)1.7% (2000 est.)25 million (2000)services 71%, industry 25%, agriculture 4% (1997)9.7% (2000 est.)$210 billion$240 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism3.5% (2000 est.)497.26 billion kWh (1999)9.69%14.39%75.43% 0.49% (1999)398.752 billion kWh (1999)68.7 billion kWh (1999)5 billion kWh (1999)wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish$325 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beveragesEU 63% (Germany 16%, UK 10%, Spain 9%, Italy 9%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8%), US 8% (1999)$320 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicalsEU 62% (Germany 16%, Belgium-Luxembourg 11%, Italy 9%, UK 8%), US 7% (2000 est.)$106 billion (1998) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $6.3 billion (1997)French franc (FRF); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in France at a fixed rate of 6.55957 French francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002FRF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year France Communications34.86 million (yearend 1998)11.078 million (yearend 1998) highly developed extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system satellite earth stations - 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 countriesAM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)55.3 million (1997)584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995)34.8 million (1997).fr62 (2000)9 million (2000)31,939 km (31,939 km are operated by French National Railways (SNCF); 14,176 km of SNCF routes are electrified and 12,132 km are double- or multiple-tracked)31,840 km 1.435-m gauge99 km 1.000-m gauge (1998)892,900 km892,900 km (including 9,900 km of expressways)0 km (1999)14,932 km (6,969 km heavily traveled)crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 kmBordeaux, Boulogne, Cherbourg, Dijon, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Lyon, Marseille, Mullhouse, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Saint Nazaire, Saint Malo, Strasbourg46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 942,333 GRT/1,304,754 DWTbulk 3, cargo 4, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk 1, container 1, liquefied gas 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 17, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 3 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Germany 1 (2000 est.)475 (2000 est.) 268 14 30 94 72 58 (2000 est.) 207 4 73 130 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.)Army (includes Marines), Navy (includes Naval Air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie18 years of agemales age 15-49- 14,573,199 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 12,127,793 (2001 est.)males- 390,064 (2001 est.)$39.831 billion (FY97)2.5% (FY97)international- Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and French Guiana; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatutransshipment point for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European syntheticsFrench GuianaFirst settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou.Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname4 00 N, 53 00 WSouth America91,000 sq km89,150 sq km1,850 sq kmslightly smaller than Indianatotal- 1,183 kmBrazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km378 km200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variationlow-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountainsAtlantic Ocean 0 mBellevue de l Inini 851 mbauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish0%0%0%90%10% (1996 est.)20 sq km (1993 est.)high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; floodingNAmostly an unsettled wilderness177,562 (July 2001 est.) 30.47% (male 27,669; female 26,428) 64.05% (male 61,457; female 52,266) 5.48% (male 4,937; female 4,805) (2001 est.)2.74% (2001 est.)22.02 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.18 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female (2001 est.)13.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.3 years 72.97 years 79.79 years (2001 est.)3.17 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAFrench Guianese (singular and plural)French Guianeseblack or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10%Roman CatholicFrench age 15 and over can read and write 83% 84% 82% (1982 est.)Department of GuianaFrench GuiananoneGuyaneoverseas department of FranceNACayennenone (overseas department of France)none (overseas department of France)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)French legal system18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Dominique VIAN (since NA January 1997)President of the General Council Andre LECANTE (since NA March 1998); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992)NA French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councilsunicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - PS 28.28%, various left parties 22.56%, RPR 15.91%, independents 8.6%, Walwari Committee 6%; seats by party - PS 11, various left parties 9, RPR 6, independents 3, Walwari Committee 2 note- one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 25 May - 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 1, PSG 1Court of Appeals or Cour d Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana)Guianese Socialist Party or PSG [Antoine KARAM]; Guyana Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Roland HO-WEN-SZE]; Socialist Party or PS [Pierre RIBARDIERE] (may be a subset of PSG); Walwari Committee [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON]NAFZ, WCL, WFTUthe flag of France is used French Guiana EconomyThe economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry which provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers.purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1998 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $6,000 (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%2.5% (1992)58,800 (1997)services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980)21.4% (1998)$225 million$390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996)construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold miningNA%440 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)409.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry$155 million (f.o.b., 1997)shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothingFrance 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (1997)$625 million (c.i.f., 1997)food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicalsFrance 52%, US 14%, Trinidad and Tobago 6% (1997)$1.2 billion (1988)$NAFrench franc (FRF); euro (EUR)FRF; EUREuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year French Guiana Communications47,000 (1997)NA NA fair open wire and microwave radio relay system satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5 repeaters) (1998)104,000 (1997)3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)30,000 (1997).gf2 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km (1995)1,817 km817 km1,000 km (1998)3,300 km navigable by native craft note- 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamersCayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)11 (2000 est.) 4 1 2 1 (2000 est.) 7 2 5 (2000 est.)French Forces, Gendarmeriemales age 15-49- 49,495 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 32,052 (2001 est.)$NANA% Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa)small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to EuropeFrench PolynesiaThe 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.Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia15 00 S, 140 00 WOceania4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)3,660 sq km507 sq kmslightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut0 km2,525 km200 NM12 NMtropical, but moderatemixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefsPacific Ocean 0 mMont Orohena 2,241 mtimber, fish, cobalt, hydropower1%6%5%31%57% (1993 est.)NA sq kmoccasional cyclonic storms in JanuaryNAincludes five archipelagoes; 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 Nauru253,506 (July 2001 est.) 29.74% (male 38,473; female 36,925) 65.17% (male 86,128; female 79,076) 5.09% (male 6,481; female 6,423) (2001 est.)1.72% (2001 est.)18.6 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)9.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.01 years 72.67 years 77.46 years (2001 est.)2.23 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAFrench Polynesian(s)French PolynesianPolynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16%French (official), Tahitian (official) age 14 and over can read and write 98% 98% 98% (1977 est.)Territory of French PolynesiaFrench PolynesiaTerritoire de la Polynesie FrancaisePolynesie FrancaiseFrench Colony of Oceaniaoverseas territory of France since 1946NAPapeetenone (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent note- Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesianone (overseas territory of France)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)based on French system18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Paul RONCIERE (since NA 1994)President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 4 April 1991); President of the Territorial Assembly Justin ARAPARI (since 13 May 1996)Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers French president elected by popular vote for a seven-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 assemblyunicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 12 May 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - People s Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 22, Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia 10, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4 note- one seat was elected to the French Senate on 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UC 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 25 May - 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People s Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2Court of Appeal or Cour d Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal AdministratifCentrist Union or UC [leader NA]; Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; People s Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]NAESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMOtwo narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions French Polynesia EconomySince 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefited from a five-year (1994-98) development agreement with France aimed principally at creating new jobs.purchasing power parity - $2.6 billion (1997 est.)2.5% (1997 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,800 (1997 est.)4%18%78% (1997)NA%NA%NA%1.5% (1994)70,000 (1996)agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997)15% (1992 est.)$1 billion$900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996)tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicraftsNA%430 million kWh (1999)51.16%48.84%0% 0% (1999)399.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products$205 million (f.o.b., 1999)cultured pearls 50%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat (1997)Japan 62%, US 21% (1999)$749 million (f.o.b., 1999)fuels, foodstuffs, equipmentFrance 53%, US 13%, Australia 10% (1999)$NA$367 million (1997)Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)XPFComptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 127.11 (January 2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996); note - pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the eurocalendar year French Polynesia Communications52,000 (1997)5,427 (1997) NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)128,000 (1997)7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997)40,000 (1997).pf2 (2000)5,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km792 km264 km528 km (2000)noneMataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,240 GRT/7,765 DWTcargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2000 est.)45 (2000 est.) 32 2 5 19 6 (2000 est.) 13 3 10 (2000 est.)French Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- noneFrench Southern and Antarctic LandsThe Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna. The Antarctic portion consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.south of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen 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"43 00 S, 67 00 EAntarctic Region7,781 sq km7,781 sq km0 sq km note- includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the USslightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware0 km1,232 km200 NM from Iles Kerguelen only12 NMantarcticvolcanicIndian Ocean 0 mMont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 mfish, crayfish0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1993)Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoesNAislands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Oceanno indigenous inhabitants (July 2001 est.) note- in 1997, there were about 100 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January)Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic LandsFrench Southern and Antarctic LandsTerritoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques FrancaisesTerres Australes et Antarctiques Francaisesoverseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by High Commissioner of the Republic Brigitte GIRARDIN (since 25 March 1998), assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA)none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the USthe laws of France, where applicable, applythe flag of France is used French Southern and Antarctic Lands EconomyEconomic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. French Southern and Antarctic Lands Communications.tfnonenone; offshore anchorage only74 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,024,194 GRT/5,255,703 DWTbulk 7, cargo 5, chemical tanker 9, container 11, liquefied gas 7, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 12 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- France 1 (2000 est.)none Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the USGabonRuled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and foreign private investment have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries.Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea1 00 S, 11 45 EAfrica267,667 sq km257,667 sq km10,000 sq kmslightly smaller than Coloradototal- 2,551 kmCameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km885 km24 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; always hot, humidnarrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and southAtlantic Ocean 0 mMont Iboundji 1,575 mpetroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower1%1%18%77%3% (1993 est.)40 sq km (1993 est.)NAdeforestation; poachingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements1,221,175 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 33.29% (male 203,677; female 202,833) 60.77% (male 373,828; female 368,282) 5.94% (male 35,867; female 36,688) (2001 est.)1.02% (2001 est.)27.42 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)17.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)94.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 49.59 years 48.47 years 50.75 years (2001 est.)3.69 children born/woman (2001 est.)4.16% (1999 est.)23,000 (1999 est.)2,000 (1999 est.)Gabonese (singular and plural)GaboneseBantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationalityChristian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi age 15 and over can read and write 63.2% 73.7% 53.3% (1995 est.)Gabonese RepublicGabonRepublique GabonaiseGabonrepublic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990)Libreville9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem17 August 1960 (from France)Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968)adopted 14 March 1991based 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 jurisdiction21 years of age; universalPresident El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967)Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE (since 23 January 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president President El Hadj Omar BONGO reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats); members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms National Assembly - last held 15 and 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA December 2001); Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 1997 (next to be held in January 2002) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 89, PGP 9, RNB 6, CLR 3, UPG 2, USG 2, independents 4, others 5; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County CourtsAfrican Forum for Reconstruction or FAR [Leon MBOU-YEMBI]; Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG, former sole party [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA, secretary general]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE, president]; Gabonese People s Union or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]; Gabonese Socialist Union or USG [Serge MBA BEKALE]; National Rally of Woodcutters (Bucherons) or RNB [Fr. Paul M BA-ABESSOLE]; People s Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 797-1000 [1] (202) 332-0668 consulate(s)- New York Ambassador James V. LEDESMA Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville B. P. 4000, Libreville [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, 74 34 92 [241] 74 55 07three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Gabon EconomyGabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet 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 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, manganese, and uranium exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management. In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed to settle arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12 January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119 million in October 2000. Those agreements mandate progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets for mid-1996. 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 in 1999-2000 helped growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. An expected decline in oil output may lead to contraction in GDP in 2001-02.purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (2000 est.)1.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2000 est.)10%60%30% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%1.5% (2000 est.)600,000agriculture 60%, services and government 25%, industry and commerce 15%21% (1997 est.)$1.5 billion$1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $302 million (1996 est.)food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement; petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, uranium, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair2.3% (1995)1.02 billion kWh (1999)29.9%70.1%0% 0% (1999)948.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil 75%, timber, manganese, uranium (1998)US 47%, France 19%, China 8%, Japan 1.3% (1999)$1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, petroleum products, construction materialsFrance 64%, US 4%, UK 2%, Netherlands 2%, (1999)$3.9 billion (2000 est.)$331 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African StatesXAFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per eurocalendar year Gabon Communications37,000 (1997)9,500 (1997) NA adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 6, FM 7, shortwave 6 (1998)208,000 (1997)4 (plus five low-power repeaters) (1997)63,000 (1997).ga1 (2000)5,000 (2000)649 km (Gabon State Railways or OCTRA)649 km 1.435-m gauge; single track (1994)7,670 km629 km (including 30 km of expressways)7,041 km (1996)1,600 km (perennially navigable)crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 kmCap Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo, Port-Gentil59 (2000 est.) 10 1 1 7 1 (2000 est.) 49 8 17 24 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard (charged with protecting the president and other senior officials), National Gendarmerie, National Police20 years of agemales age 15-49- 281,218 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 145,062 (2001 est.)males- 11,304 (2001 est.)$91 million (FY96)1.6% (FY96)international- maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gambia, TheThe Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a new 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, have completed a nominal return to civilian rule.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal13 28 N, 16 34 WAfrica11,300 sq km10,000 sq km1,300 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Delawaretotal- 740 kmSenegal 740 km80 km18 NMnot specified exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hillsAtlantic Ocean 0 munnamed location 53 mfish18%0%9%28%45% (1993 est.)150 sq km (1993 est.)drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalentBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsalmost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa1,411,205 (July 2001 est.) 45.22% (male 320,458; female 317,647) 52.13% (male 364,900; female 370,717) 2.65% (male 19,660; female 17,823) (2001 est.)3.14% (2001 est.)41.76 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)77.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 53.59 years 51.65 years 55.58 years (2001 est.)5.68 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.95% (1999 est.)13,000 (1999 est.)1,400 (1999 est.)Gambian(s)GambianAfrican 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars age 15 and over can read and write 47.5% 58.4% 37.1% (2001 est.)Republic of The GambiaThe Gambiarepublic under multiparty democratic ruleBanjul5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, Central River, North Bank, Upper River, Western18 February 1965 (from UK)Independence Day, 18 February (1965)24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet is appointed by the president the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 26 September 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001) Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH elected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 55.8%, Ousainou DARBOE 35.8%unicameral National Assembly (49 seats; 45 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) last popular election held 2 January 1997 (next to be held NA January 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - APRC 33, UDP 7, NRP 2, PDOIS 1, independents 2Supreme CourtAlliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE] note- in August 1996 the government banned the following from participation in the elections of 1996- People s Progressive Party or PPP [former President Dawda K. JAWARA (in exile)], and two opposition parties - the National Convention Party or NCP [former Vice President Sheriff DIBBA] and the Gambian People s Party or GPP [Hassan Musa CAMARA]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador John P. BOJANG Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 785-1399 [1] (202) 785-1430 Ambassador George W. B. HALEY Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971 [220] 392475three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green Gambia, The EconomyThe Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources 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, instability of the Gambian dalasi, and the stable political situation in Senegal have drawn some of the reexport trade away from Banjul. The government s 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the following two marketing seasons have seen significantly lower prices and sales. A decline in tourism from 1999 to 2000 has also held back growth. Unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high. Shortrun economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice, and on expected growth in the construction sector.purchasing power parity - $1.5 billion (2000 est.)4.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)21%12%67% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%3.4% (2000 est.)400,000agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6%NA%$90.5 million$80.9 million, including capital expenditures of $4.1 million (2001 est.)processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothingNA%75 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)69.8 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats; forest and fishery resources not fully exploited$125.8 million (f.o.b., 1999)peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernelsBenelux 59%, Japan 20%, UK 7%, Spain 2% (1999)$202.5 million (f.o.b., 1999)foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipmentChina (including Hong Kong) 49%, UK 15%, Netherlands 11.6%, Brazil 10%, Senegal 10% (1997)$440 million (2001 est.)$45.4 million (1995)dalasi (GMD)GMDdalasi per US dollar - 15.000 (January 2001), 12.729 (3d quarter 1999), 11.395 (1999), 10.643 (1998), 10.200 (1997), 9.789 (1996)calendar year Gambia, The Communications31,900 (2000)5,624 (2000) adequate; a packet switched data network is available adequate network of microwave radio relay and open wire microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2000)196,000 (1997)1 (government-owned) (1997)5,000 (2000).gm2 (2001)5,000 (2001) Railways- 0 km2,700 km956 km1,744 km (1996)400 kmBanjul Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Army (includes marine unit), National Police, Presidential Guardmales age 15-49- 316,873 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 159,764 (2001 est.)$2.6 million (2001 est.)2% (FY96/97)international- none --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gaza StripThe Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations, which resumed in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus. An intifadah broke out in September 2000; the resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel s military response, and instability in the Palestinian Authority are undermining progress toward a permanent settlement.Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel31 25 N, 34 20 EMiddle East360 sq km360 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DCtotal- 62 kmEgypt 11 km, Israel 51 km40 kmIsraeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiationtemperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summersflat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plainMediterranean Sea 0 mAbu Awdah (Joz Abu Auda) 105 marable land, natural gas24%39%0%11%26% (1993 est.)120 sq km (1993 est.)droughtsdesertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradationthere are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (August 2000 est.)1,178,119 (July 2001 est.) note- in addition, there are some 6,900 Israeli settlers in the Gaza Strip (August 2000 est.) 49.89% (male 301,288; female 286,481) 47.32% (male 283,274; female 274,189) 2.79% (male 14,121; female 18,766) (2001 est.)4.01% (2001 est.)42.48 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)25.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.01 years 69.76 years 72.32 years (2001 est.)6.42 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANANANAPalestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6%Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.6%Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) NA NA% NA% NA%noneGaza StripnoneQita Ghazzah Gaza Strip EconomyIsraeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiationEconomic output in the Gaza Strip - which comes under the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority since the Cairo Agreement of May 1994 - declined perhaps one-third between 1992 and 1996. The downturn was largely the result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of generalized border closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which disrupted previously established labor and commodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS (West Bank and Gaza Strip). The most serious negative social effect of this downturn was the emergence of high unemployment; unemployment in the WBGS during the 1980s was generally under 5%; by 1995 it had risen to over 20%. Since 1997 Israel s use of comprehensive closures has decreased and, in 1998, Israel implemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and other security procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor. These changes fueled an almost three-year long economic recovery in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; real GDP grew by 5% in 1998 and 6% in 1999. Recovery was upended in the last quarter of 2000 with the outbreak of Palestinian violence, which triggered tight Israeli closures of Palestinian self-rule areas and a severe disruption of trade and labor movements.purchasing power parity - $1.11 billion (2000 est.)-7.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)9%28%63% (1999 est., includes West Bank)NA%NA%NA%3% (includes West Bank) (2000 est.)NAservices 66%, industry 21%, agriculture 13% (1996)40% (includes West Bank) (yearend 2000)$1.6 billion$1.73 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA note- includes West Bank (1999 est.)generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial centerNA%NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by IsraelNA kWh0 kWh (1999)NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israelolives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products$682 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.) (includes West Bank)citrus, flowersIsrael, Egypt, West Bank$2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1998 est.) (includes West Bank)food, consumer goods, construction materialsIsrael, Egypt, West Bank$108 million (1997 est.) (includes West Bank)$121 million disbursed (2000) (includes West Bank)new Israeli shekel (ILS)ILSnew Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.0810 (December 2000), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997), 3.1917 (1996)calendar year Gaza Strip Communications95,729 (total for Gaza Strip and West Bank) (1997)NA NA rudimentary telephone services provided by an open wire system NAAM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)2 (operated by the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation) (1997)NA; note - most Palestinian households have televisions (1997)3 (1999)23,520 (1999) (includes West Bank)NA km; note - one line, abandoned and in disrepair, little trackage remainsNA kmNA kmNA km note- small, poorly developed road networknoneGaza2 note- includes Gaza International Airport that opened on 24 November 1998 as part of agreements stipulated in the September 1995 Oslo II Accord and the 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)NA$NANA%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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GeorgiaGeorgia 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. Russian troops remain garrisoned at four military bases and as peacekeepers in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (but are scheduled to withdraw from two of the bases by July 2001). Despite a badly degraded transportation network - brought on by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages - the country continues to move toward a market economy and greater integration with Western institutions.Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia42 00 N, 43 30 ECommonwealth of Independent States69,700 sq km69,700 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than South Carolinatotal- 1,461 kmArmenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km310 kmNAwarm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coastlargely 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 LowlandBlack Sea 0 mMt a Mqinvartsveri (Gora Kazbek) 5,048 mforests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth9%4%25%34%28% (1993 est.)4,000 sq km (1993 est.)earthquakesair pollution, particularly in Rust avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicalsAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements4,989,285 (July 2001 est.) 19.59% (male 498,575; female 478,663) 67.91% (male 1,632,338; female 1,755,910) 12.5% (male 241,824; female 381,975) (2001 est.)-0.59% (2001 est.)11.18 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.58 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2001 est.)52.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 64.57 years 61.04 years 68.28 years (2001 est.)1.45 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Georgian(s)GeorgianGeorgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note- Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia age 15 and over can read and write 99% 100% 98% (1989 est.)noneGeorgianoneSak art veloGeorgian Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicT bilisi53 rayons (raionebi, singular - raioni), 9 cities* (k alak ebi, singular - k alak i), and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abashis, Abkhazia or Ap khazet is Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Sokhumi), Adigenis, Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Bat umi), Akhalgoris, Akhalk alak is, Akhalts ikhis, Akhmetis, Ambrolauris, Aspindzis, Baghdat is, Bolnisis, Borjomis, Chiat ura*, Ch khorotsqus, Ch okhatauris, Dedop listsqaros, Dmanisis, Dushet is, Gardabanis, Gori*, Goris, Gurjaanis, Javis, K arelis, Kaspis, Kharagaulis, Khashuris, Khobis, Khonis, K ut aisi*, Lagodekhis, Lanch khut is, Lentekhis, Marneulis, Martvilis, Mestiis, Mts khet is, Ninotsmindis, Onis, Ozurget is, P ot i*, Qazbegis, Qvarlis, Rust avi*, Sach kheris, Sagarejos, Samtrediis, Senakis, Sighnaghis, T bilisi*, T elavis, T erjolis, T et ritsqaros, T ianet is, Tqibuli*, Ts ageris, Tsalenjikhis, Tsalkis, Tsqaltubo*, Vanis, Zestap onis, Zugdidi*, Zugdidis note- administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Unionadopted 17 October 1995based on civil law system18 years of age; universalNAPresident Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992; Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992; president since 26 November 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992; Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992; president since 26 November 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) Eduard SHEVARDNADZE reelected president; percent of vote - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 80%unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 31 October and 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) percent of vote by party - CUG 41.85%, AGUR 25.65%, IWSG 7.8%, all other parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - CUG 130, AGUR 58, IWSG 15, Abkhaz deputies 12, independents 17, other 3Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president s recommendation); Constitutional CourtCitizen s Union of Georgia or CUG [Eduard SHEVARDNADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman]; Industry Will Save Georgia or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTURIA]; Socialist Party or SPG [Temur GAMTSEMLIDZE]; Union for "Revival" Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; United Republican Party or URP [Nodar NATADZE, chairman]Georgian refugees from Abkhazia (Abkhaz faction in Georgian Parliament); separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia; supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA remain a source of oppositionBSEC, CCC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE Suite 300, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 387-2390 [1] (202) 393-4537 Ambassador Kenneth S. YALOWITZ #25 Antoneli Street, T bilisi 380026 use embassy street address [995] (32) 989-967/68 [995] (32) 933-759maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below Georgia EconomyGeorgia s economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains since 1995, increasing GDP growth and slashing inflation. The Georgian economy continues to experience large budget deficits due to a failure to collect tax revenues. Georgia also still suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the distribution network in 1998, and deliveries are steadily improving. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery on the development of an international transportation corridor through the key Black Sea ports of P ot i and Bat umi. The growing trade deficit, continuing problems with tax evasion and corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture.purchasing power parity - $22.8 billion (2000 est.)1.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2000 est.)32%23%45% (1999 est.)60% (1999 est.)NA%NA%4.1% (2000 est.)3.08 million (1997)industry 20%, agriculture 40%, services 40% (1999 est.)14.9% (1999 est.)$437 million$626 million, including capital expenditures of $60 million (1999)steel, aircraft, machine tools, electric locomotives, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine-0.3% (1998 est.)7.975 billion kWh (1999)20.38%79.62%0% 0% (1999)7.117 billion kWh (1999)850 million kWh (1999)550 million kWh (1999)citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; livestock$372 million (2000 est.)citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery and metals; chemicals; fuel reexports; textilesRussia 19%, Turkey 16%, Azerbaijan 8%, Armenia 6% (1999)$898 million (2000 est.)fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipmentEU 22%, Russia 19%, Turkey 12%, US 12% (1999)$1.9 billion (2000)$212.7 million (1995)lari (GEL)GELlari per US dollar - 1.9798 (December 2000), 1.9762 (2000), 2.0245 (1999), 1.3898 (1998), 1.2975 (1997), 1.2628 (1996)calendar year Georgia Communications620,000 (1997)30,000 (1997) NA local - T bilisi and K ut aisi have cellular telephone networks; urban 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 Georgia and Russia are working on a fiber-optic line between P ot i and Sochi (Russia); present international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are availableAM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)3.02 million (1997)12 (plus repeaters) (1998)2.57 million (1997).ge6 (2000)20,000 (2000)1,583 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge- 1,583 km 1.520-m gauge (1993)33,900 km29,500 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)4,400 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)nonecrude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 km (1992)Bat umi, P ot i, Sokhumi37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 131,316 GRT/190,289 DWTbulk 3, cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 2, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)31 (2000 est.) 16 1 8 2 2 3 (2000 est.) 15 1 4 4 6 (2000 est.) Transportation - note- transportation network is in poor condition resulting from ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repairGround Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,296,199 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,024,574 (2001 est.)males- 41,561 (2001 est.)$23 million (FY00)0.59% (FY00) Military - note- a CIS peacekeeping force consisting 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 Ossetiainternational- nonelimited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GermanyAs Western Europe s richest and most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent s economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed the country 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 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 formed a common European currency, the euro.Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark51 00 N, 9 00 EEurope357,021 sq km349,223 sq km7,798 sq kmslightly smaller than Montanatotal- 3,618 kmAustria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 135 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km2,389 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtemperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm foehn windlowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in southFreepsum Lake -2 mZugspitze 2,963 miron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel, arable land33%1%15%31%20% (1993 est.)4,750 sq km (1993 est.)floodingemissions 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 currently attempting to define mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU s Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directiveAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea83,029,536 (July 2001 est.) 15.57% (male 6,635,328; female 6,289,994) 67.82% (male 28,619,237; female 27,691,698) 16.61% (male 5,336,664; female 8,456,615) (2001 est.)0.27% (2001 est.)9.16 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.61 years 74.47 years 80.92 years (2001 est.)1.38 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.1% (1999 est.)37,000 (1999 est.)600 (1999 est.)German(s)GermanGerman 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Russian, Greek, Polish, Spanish)Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 1.7%, unaffiliated or other 26.3%German age 15 and over can read and write 99% (1977 est.) NA% NA%Federal Republic of GermanyGermanyBundesrepublik DeutschlandDeutschlandGerman Empire, German Republic, German Reichfederal republicBerlin16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991Unity Day, 3 October (1990)23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Johannes RAU (since 1 July 1999)Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (since 27 October 1998)Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor president elected for a five-year 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 1999 (next to be held 23 May 2004); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held in the fall of 2002) Johannes RAU elected president; percent of Federal Convention vote - 57.6%; Gerhard SCHROEDER elected chancellor; percent of Federal Assembly - 52.7%bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (656 seats usually, but 669 for the 1998 term; elected by popular vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain representation; members serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on population and are required to vote as a block) Federal Assembly - last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by the fall of 2002); 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 Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party - SPD 40.9%, Alliance 90/Greens 6.7%, CDU/CSU 35.1%, FDP 6.2%, PDS 5.1%; seats by party - SPD 298, Alliance 90/Greens 47, CDU/CSU 245, FDP 43, PDS 36; Federal Council - current composition - votes by party - SPD-led states 26, CDU-led states 28, grand coalitions 15Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat)Alliance 90/Greens [Renate KUENAST and Fritz KUHN]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social Union or CSU [Edmund STOIBER, chairman]; Free Democratic Party or FDP [Wolfgang GERHARDT, chairman]; note - Wolfgang GERHARDT will probably be replaced by Guido WESTERWELLE in May 2001; Party of Democratic Socialism or PDS [Gabi ZIMMER]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Gerhard SCHROEDER, chairman]employers organizations; expellee, refugee, trade unions, and veterans groupsAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Juergen CHROBOG 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 298-8141 [1] (202) 298-4249 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s)- Wellington (America Samoa) Ambassador John C. KORNBLUM (was due to resign on 20 January 2001) Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, 10117 Berlin PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265 [49] (30) 238-5174 [49] (30) 238-6290 Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munichthree equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold Germany EconomyGermany possesses the world s third most technologically powerful economy after the US and Japan, but structural market rigidities - including the substantial non-wage costs of hiring new workers - have made unemployment a long-term, not just a cyclical, problem. Germany s aging population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy remains a costly long-term problem, with annual transfers from western Germany amounting to roughly $70 billion. Growth picked up to 3% in 2000, largely due to recovering global demand; newly passed business and income tax cuts are expected to keep growth strong in 2001. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are transforming the German economy to meet the challenges of European economic integration and globalization in general.purchasing power parity - $1.936 trillion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $23,400 (2000 est.)1.2%30.4%68.4% (1999)NA%2% (2000 est.)40.5 million (1999 est.)industry 33.4%, agriculture 2.8%, services 63.8% (1999)9.9% (2000 est.)$996 billion$1.036 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)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; textiles4.7% (2000)531.377 billion kWh (1999)63.29%3.59%30.3% 2.82% (1999)495.181 billion kWh (1999)39.5 billion kWh (1999)40.5 billion kWh (1999)potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry$578 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textilesEU 55.3% (France 11.3%, UK 8.3%, Italy 7.3%, Netherlands 6.3%, Belgium/Luxembourg 5.1%), US 10.1%, Japan 2.0% (1999)$505 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metalsEU 52.2% (France 10.5%, Netherlands 7.6%, Italy 7.4%, UK 6.9%, Belgium/Luxembourg 5.6%), US 8.1%, Japan 4.9% (1999)$NA Economic aid - donor- ODA, $5.6 billion (1998)deutsche mark (DEM); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Germany at a fixed rate of 1.95583 deutsche marks per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002DEM; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); deutsche marks per US dollar - 1.69 (January 1999), 1.7597 (1998), 1.7341 (1997), 1.5048 (1996)calendar year Germany Communications45.2 million (1997) note- 46.5 million main lines were installed by yearend 199815.318 million (April 1999) 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 has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part 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 and includes roaming service to many foreign countries satellite earth stations - 14 Intelsat (12 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), 2 Intersputnik (1 Atlantic Ocean region and 1 Indian Ocean region); 7 submarine cable connections; 2 HF radiotelephone communication centers; tropospheric scatter linksAM 51, FM 767, shortwave 4 (1998)77.8 million (1997)373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995)51.4 million (1998).de123 (2000)18 million (2000)40,826 km including at least 14,253 km electrified and 14,768 km double- or multiple-tracked (1998) note- since privatization in 1994, Deutsche Bahn AG (DBAG) no longer publishes details of the tracks it owns; in addition to the DBAG system there are 102 privately owned railway companies which own an approximate 3,000 km to 4,000 km of the total tracks656,140 km650,891 km (including 11,400 km of expressways)5,249 km (all-weather) (1998 est.)7,500 km note- major rivers include the Rhine and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between the Baltic Sea and North Sea (1999)crude oil 2,500 km (1998)Berlin, Bonn, Brake, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cologne, Dresden, Duisburg, Emden, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Luebeck, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Rostock, Stuttgart457 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,414,724 GRT/7,952,776 DWTcargo 169, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 243, liquefied gas 2, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 7, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 12, short-sea passenger 7 (2000 est.)613 (2000 est.) 322 13 55 67 63 124 (2000 est.) 291 2 6 5 53 225 (2000 est.)59 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm), Air Force, Medical Corps, Border Police, Coast Guard18 years of agemales age 15-49- 20,851,022 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 17,760,412 (2001 est.)males- 482,318 (2001 est.)$32.8 billion (FY98)1.5% (FY98)international- nonesource 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GhanaFormed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. He was succeeded by John KUFUOR.Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d Ivoire and Togo8 00 N, 2 00 WAfrica238,540 sq km230,020 sq km8,520 sq kmslightly smaller than Oregontotal- 2,093 kmBurkina Faso 548 km, Cote d Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km539 km24 NM200 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in northmostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central areaAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Afadjato 880 mgold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower12%7%22%35%24% (1993 est.)60 sq km (1993 est.)dry, dusty, harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughtsrecent drought in north severely affecting agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsMarine Life ConservationLake Volta is the world s largest artificial lake; northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)19,894,014 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 41.18% (male 4,123,317; female 4,068,786) 55.35% (male 5,455,577; female 5,555,278) 3.47% (male 328,809; female 362,247) (2001 est.)1.79% (2001 est.)28.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.26 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)56.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 57.24 years 55.86 years 58.66 years (2001 est.)3.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)3.6% (1999 est.)340,000 (1999 est.)33,000 (1999 est.)Ghanaian(s)Ghanaianblack African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2%indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8%English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga) age 15 and over can read and write 64.5% 75.9% 53.5% (1995 est.)Republic of GhanaGhanaGold Coastconstitutional democracyAccra10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western6 March 1957 (from UK)Independence Day, 6 March (1957)new constitution approved 28 April 1992based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 and 28 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) John Agyekum KUFUOR elected president in runoff; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 56.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.6%unicameral Parliament (200 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 7 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 100, NDC 92, PNC 3, CPP 1, independents 4Supreme CourtEvery Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA, chairman]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People s Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman]; People s Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE]; People s National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]NAABEDA, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Kobena KOOMSON 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 686-4520 [1] (202) 686-4527 New York Ambassador Kathryn D. ROBINSON Ring Road East, East of Danquah Circle, Accra P. O. Box 194, Accra [233] (21) 775348 [233] (21) 776008three 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 Ghana EconomyWell endowed with natural resources, Ghana has twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 36% of GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders. In 1995-97, Ghana made mixed progress under a three-year structural adjustment program in cooperation with the IMF. On the minus side, public sector wage increases and regional peacekeeping commitments have led to continued inflationary deficit financing, depreciation of the cedi, and rising public discontent with Ghana s austerity measures. Political uncertainty and a depressed cocoa market led to disappointing growth in 2000. A rebound in the cocoa market should push growth over 4% in 2001-02.purchasing power parity - $37.4 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2000 est.)36%25%39% (2000 est.)31.4% (1992 est.)3.6%26.1% (1997)22.8% (2000 est.)9 million (2000 est.)agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.)20% (1997 est.)$1.39 billion$1.47 billion, including capital expenditures of $370 million (1996 est.)mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing4.2% (1996 est.)5.466 billion kWh (1999)26.82%73.18%0% 0% (1999)5.573 billion kWh (1999)400 million kWh (1999)890 million kWh (1999)cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamondsTogo, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, US, France (1998)$2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffsUK, Nigeria, US, Germany, Italy, Spain (1998)$7 billion (1999 est.)$477.3 million (1995)cedi (GHC)GHCcedis per US dollar - 6,895.77 (January 2001), 5,321.68 (2000), 2,647.32 (1999), 2,314.15 (1998), 2,050.17 (1997), 1,637.23 (1996)calendar year Ghana Communications200,000 (1998)30,000 (yearend 1998) poor to fair system; Internet accessible; many rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is underway primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighborsAM 0, FM 18, shortwave 3 (1999)4.4 million (1997)11 (1999)1.73 million (1997).gh1 (2000)20,000 (2000)953 km (undergoing major rehabilitation)953 km 1.067-m gauge (32 km double track) (1997 est.)39,409 km11,653 km (including 30 km of expressways)27,756 km (1997)1,293 km note- Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways0 kmTakoradi, Tema6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,484 GRT/18,583 DWTpetroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 4 (2000 est.)12 (2000 est.) 6 1 3 2 (2000 est.) 6 1 3 2 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, Palace Guard, Civil Defense18 years of agemales age 15-49- 4,890,483 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,713,584 (2001 est.)males- 213,237 (2001 est.)$53 million (FY99)0.7% (FY99)international- noneillicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GibraltarStrategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a 1967 referendum, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency.Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain36 11 N, 5 22 WEurope6.5 sq km6.5 sq km0 sq kmabout 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCtotal- 1.2 kmSpain 1.2 km12 km3 NMMediterranean with mild winters and warm summersa narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of GibraltarMediterranean Sea 0 mRock of Gibraltar 426 mNEGL0%0%0%0%100% (1993 est.)NA sq kmNAlimited natural freshwater resources; large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwaterstrategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea27,649 (July 2001 est.) 18.73% (male 2,652; female 2,528) 66.33% (male 9,473; female 8,866) 14.94% (male 1,733; female 2,397) (2001 est.)0.24% (2001 est.)11.25 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.09 years 76.23 years 82.1 years (2001 est.)1.64 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAGibraltarian(s)GibraltarSpanish, Italian, English, Maltese, PortugueseRoman Catholic 76.9%, Church of England 6.9%, Muslim 6.9%, Jewish 2.3%, none or other 7% (1991)English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian NA above 80% NA% NA%noneGibraltaroverseas territory of the UKNAGibraltarnone (overseas territory of the UK)none (overseas territory of the UK)Commonwealth Day, second Monday of March30 May 1969English law18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been residents six months or moreQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief David DURIE (since 5 April 2000); note - DURIE was appointed in February 2000 but took office in April 2000Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister; note - there is also a Gibraltar Council that advises the governor none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governorunicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members; members serve four-year terms) last held 10 February 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%; seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7Supreme Court; Court of AppealGibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Housewives AssociationInterpol (subbureau)two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Gibraltar EconomyGibraltar 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 11% to the local economy. The financial sector accounts for 20% of GDP; tourism (almost 6 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. 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.purchasing power parity - $500 million (1997 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $17,500 (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%1.5% (1998)14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers)services 60%, industry 40%, agriculture NEGL%13.5% (1996)$307 million$284 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.)tourism, banking and finance, ship-building and repairing; support to large UK naval and air bases; tobacco, mineral water, beer, canned fishNA%95 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)88.4 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)none$81.1 million (f.o.b., 1997)(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8%UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, Germany$492 million (c.i.f., 1997)fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffsUK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands$NA$NAGibraltar pound (GIP)GIPGibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound1 July - 30 June Gibraltar Communications19,000 (1997)1,620 (1997) adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities automatic exchange facilities radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)37,000 (1997)1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997)10,000 (1997).gi2 (2000)NANA km; 1.000-m gauge system in dockyard area only46.25 km46.25 km0 km (2001)none0 kmGibraltar49 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 669,056 GRT/1,003,809 DWTbulk 1, cargo 15, chemical tanker 6, container 7, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- source of friction between Spain and the UK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Glorioso IslandsA French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar11 30 S, 47 20 EAfrica5 sq km5 sq km0 sq km note- includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rockabout eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km35.2 km200 NM12 NMtropicallow and flatIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location 12 mguano, coconuts0%0%0%0%100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms)0 sq km (1993)periodic cyclonesNAno indigenous inhabitants note- there is a small French military garrison (July 2001 est.)noneGlorioso IslandsnoneIles Glorieusespossession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunionthe laws of France, where applicable, applythe flag of France is used Glorioso Islands Economyno economic activity Glorioso Islands Communications Communications - note- 1 meteorological stationnonenone; offshore anchorage only1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- claimed by Madagascar --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GreeceGreece achieved its 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 with Greek-speaking populations. Following the defeat of communist rebels 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. Democratic elections in 1974 and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy; Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992).Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey39 00 N, 22 00 EEurope131,940 sq km130,800 sq km1,140 sq kmslightly smaller than Alabamatotal- 1,210 kmAlbania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 228 km13,676 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation6 NMtemperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summersmostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islandsMediterranean Sea 0 mMount Olympus 2,917 mbauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble, hydropower potential19%8%41%20%12% (1993 est.)13,140 sq km (1993 est.)severe earthquakesair pollution; water pollutionAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands10,623,835 (July 2001 est.) 14.98% (male 820,219; female 771,466) 67.3% (male 3,580,535; female 3,569,755) 17.72% (male 834,234; female 1,047,626) (2001 est.)0.21% (2001 est.)9.83 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.73 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.59 years 76.03 years 81.32 years (2001 est.)1.33 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.16% (1999 est.)8,000 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Greek(s)GreekGreek 98%, other 2% note- the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in GreeceGreek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%Greek 99% (official), English, French age 15 and over can read and write 95% 98% 93% (1991 est.)Hellenic RepublicGreeceElliniki DhimokratiaEllas or ElladaKingdom of Greeceparliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974Athens51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos)and 1 autonomous region*; Ayion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Akhaia, Argolis, Arkadhia, Arta, Attiki, Dhodhekanisos, Drama, Evritania, Evros, Evvoia, Florina, Fokis, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ilia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Kardhitsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Khalkidhiki, Khania, Khios, Kikladhes, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lesvos, Levkas, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethimni, Rodhopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakinthos1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)Independence Day, 25 March (1821)11 June 1975; amended March 1986based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Konstandinos (Kostis) STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995)Prime Minister Konstandinos SIMITIS (since 19 January 1996)Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 8 February 2000 (next to be held by NA March 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Konstandinos STEPHANOPOULOS reelected president; percent of Parliament vote - 90%unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held by NA April 2004) percent of vote by party - PASOK 43.8%, ND 42.7%, KKE 5.5%, Coalition of the Left and Progress 3.2%; seats by party - PASOK 158, ND 125, KKE 11, Coalition of the Left and Progress 6Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial councilCoalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Nikolaos KONSTANDOPOULOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Konstandinos SIMITIS]NAAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIG, UPU, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Alexandros PHILON 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-5800 [1] (202) 939-5824 Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s)- Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans Ambassador R. Nicholas BURNS 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, 10160 Athens PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 [30] (1) 721-2951 [30] (1) 645-6282 Thessalonikinine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Greece EconomyGreece has a mixed capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about half of GDP. Tourism is a key industry, providing a large portion of GDP and foreign exchange earnings. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 4% of GDP. The economy has improved steadily over the last few years, as the government has tightened policy in the run-up to Greece s entry into the EU s Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on 1 January 2001. In particular, Greece has cut its budget deficit to below 1% of GDP and tightened monetary policy, with the result that inflation fell from 20% in 1990 to 3.1% in 2000. Major challenges remaining include the reduction of unemployment and further restructuring of the economy, including the privatization of some leading state enterprises. Growth, 3.8% in 2000, may fall off to 3%-3.5% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $181.9 billion (2000 est.)3.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2000 est.)8.3%27.3%64.4% (1998)NA%3%25.3% (1993 est.)3.1% (2000 est.)4.32 million (1999 est.)industry 21%, agriculture 20%, services 59% (2000 est.)11.3% (2000 est.)$45 billion$47.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum7% (2000 est.)46.432 billion kWh (1999)89.6%9.72%0% 0.68% (1999)43.343 billion kWh (1999)1.65 billion kWh (1999)1.811 billion kWh (1999)wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products$15.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)manufactured goods, food and beverages, petroleum productsEU 49% (Germany 15%, Italy 13%, UK 6%), US 6% (1999)$33.9 billion (c.i.f., 2000)manufactured goods, foodstuffs, fuels, chemicalsEU 66% (Italy 15%, Germany 15%, France 9%, UK 6%) (1999)$57 billion (2000 est.)$5.4 billion from EU (1997 est.)drachma (GRD); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Greece (which entered the European Monetary Union on 1 January 2001) at a fixed rate of 340.750 drachmae per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002GRD; EURdrachmae per US dollar - 380.21 (December 2000), 365.40 (2000), 305.65 (1999), 295.53 (1998), 273.06 (1997), 240.71 (1996)calendar year Greece Communications5.431 million (1997)937,700 (1997) adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998)5.02 million (1997)36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995)2.54 million (1997).gr27 (2000)1.33 million (1999)2,548 km1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (36 km electrified; 23 km double track)961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge (a rack-type railway for steep grades)117,000 km107,406 km (including 470 km of expressways)9,594 km (1996)80 km note- system consists of three coastal canals including the Corinth Canal (6 km) which crosses the Isthmus of Corinth connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and shortens the sea voyage from the Adriatic to Peiraiefs (Piraeus) by 325 km; there are also three unconnected riverscrude oil 26 km; petroleum products 547 kmAlexandroupolis, Elefsis, Irakleion (Crete), Kavala, Kerkyra, Chalkis, Igoumenitsa, Lavrion, Patrai, Peiraiefs (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Volos780 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 25,564,988 GRT/44,761,916 DWTbulk 272, cargo 55, chemical tanker 22, combination bulk 5, combination ore/oil 6, container 51, liquefied gas 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 255, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 20, short-sea passenger 63, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- South Korea 1, UK 4 (2000 est.)81 (2000 est.) 65 6 15 19 16 9 (2000 est.) 16 1 1 4 10 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, National Guard, Police21 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,673,539 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,040,227 (2001 est.)males- 77,976 (2001 est.)$6.12 billion (FY99/00 est.)4.91% (FY99/00 est.)international- complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over its namea 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GreenlandThe world s largest island, about 84% ice-capped, Greenland was granted self-government in 1978 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland s foreign affairs.Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada72 00 N, 40 00 WArctic Region2,175,600 sq km2,175,600 sq km (341,700 sq km ice-free, 1,833,900 sq km ice-covered) (est.)slightly more than three times the size of Texas0 km44,087 km200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line3 NMarctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold wintersflat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coastAtlantic Ocean 0 mGunnbjorn 3,700 mzinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, gold, platinum, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas0%0%1%0%99% (1998 est.)NA sq kmcontinuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the islandprotection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal huntingdominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast, but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world s second largest ice cap56,352 (July 2001 est.) 26.69% (male 7,649; female 7,392) 67.87% (male 20,868; female 17,376) 5.44% (male 1,385; female 1,682) (2001 est.)0.06% (2001 est.)16.52 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.58 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-8.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.2 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female (2001 est.)17.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.37 years 64.82 years 72.01 years (2001 est.)2.44 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%100 (1999)NAGreenlander(s)GreenlandicGreenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (January 2000)Evangelical LutheranGreenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English NA NA% NA% NA% note- similar to Denmark propernoneGreenlandnoneKalaallit Nunaatpart of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchyNuuk (Godthab)3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) note- there are 18 municipalities in Greenlandnone (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979) note- foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to GreenlandJune 21 (longest day)5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)Danish18 years of age; universalQueen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Gunnar MARTENS (since NA 1995)Prime Minister Jonathan MOTZFELDT (since 19 September 1997)Home Rule Government is elected by the Parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by Parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election last held 16 February 1999 (next to be held NA February 2003) Jonathan MOTZFELDT reelected prime minister following the 16 February 1999 elections; percent of parliamentary vote - 57.3% note- government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA)unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held on 16 February 1999 (next to be held by NA February 2003) percent of vote by party - Siumut 35.2%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 22.1%, Atassut Party 25.2%, Candidate s League 12.3%, independent 5.2%; seats by party - Siumut 11, Atassut 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 7, Candidate List 4, independent 1 note- two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 11 March 1998 (next to be held by not later than March 2002); percent of vote by party - Siumut 35.6%, Atassut 35.2%; seats by party - Siumut 1, Atassut 1; Greenlandic representatives are affiliated with Danish political parties (Siamut with Social Democratic Party and Atassut with Liberal Party)High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)Akulliit Party [Bjarne KREUTZMANN]; Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark) [Daniel SKIFTE]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Issituup (Polar Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH]; Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List, an independent right-of-center party with no official platform [leader NA]; Siumut (Forward Party, a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) [Jonathan MOTZFELDT]NAICC, NC, NIBtwo equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white Greenland EconomyThe economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting hydrocarbon and minerals exploration activities, it will take several years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs.purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (2000 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%1.6% (1999 est.)24,500 (1999 est.)7% (1999 est.)$646 million$629 million, including capital expenditures of $85 million (1999)fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), handicrafts, furs, small shipyardsNA%250 million kWh (1999)41%59%0% 0% note- Greenland is shifting its electricity production from fossil fuel to hydroelectric power production (1999)232.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish$276 million (f.o.b., 1999)fish and fish products 94%EU (mainly Denmark) 85%, Japan 8%, US 2% (1999)$400 million (c.i.f., 1999)machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum productsEU (mostly Denmark), Norway, US, Canada$25 million (1999)$380 million subsidy from Denmark (1999)Danish krone (DKK)DKKDanish kroner per US dollar - 7.951 (January 2001), 8.083 (2000), 6.976 (1999), 6.701 (1998), 6.604 (1997), 5.799 (1996)calendar year Greenland Communications25,617 (end 1999)12,676 (end 1999) adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 microwave radio relay and satellite satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)30,000 (1998 est.)1 publicly-owned station, some local low-power stations, and three AFRTS (US Air Force) stations (1997)30,000 (1998 est.).gl1 (2000)4,008 (1999) Railways- 0 km150 km60 km90 kmnoneAasiaat (Egedesminde), Ilulissat (Jakobshavn), Kangerlussuaq, Nanortalik, Narsarsuaq, Nuuk (Godthab), Qaqortoq (Julianehab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Tasiilaq (March 2001)2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,289 GRT/1,500 DWTcargo 1, passenger 1 (2000 est.)13 (2000 est.) 8 1 1 1 1 4 (2000 est.) 5 1 3 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Denmarkinternational- none --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GrenadaOne 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.Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago12 07 N, 61 40 WCentral America and the Caribbean340 sq km340 sq km0 sq kmtwice the size of Washington, DC0 km121 km200 NM12 NMtropical; tempered by northeast trade windsvolcanic in origin with central mountainsCaribbean Sea 0 mMount Saint Catherine 840 mtimber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors15%18%3%9%55% (1993 est.)NA sq kmlies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to NovemberNABiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whalingnone of the selected agreementsthe administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada89,227 (July 2001 est.) 37.05% (male 16,739; female 16,318) 59.03% (male 27,850; female 24,820) 3.92% (male 1,592; female 1,908) (2001 est.)-0.06% (2001 est.)23.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.82 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-15.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 64.52 years 62.74 years 66.31 years (2001 est.)2.54 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAGrenadian(s)Grenadianblack 82% some South Asians (East Indians) and Europeans, trace Arawak/Carib AmerindianRoman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%English (official), French patois age 15 and over can read and write 98% 98% 98% (1970 est.)noneGrenadaconstitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliamentSaint George s6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick7 February 1974 (from UK)Independence Day, 7 February (1974)19 December 1973based on English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996)Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June 1995)Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister appointed by the governor general from among the members of the House of Assemblybicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and three by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 18 January 1999 (next to be held by NA October 2004) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NNP 14, GULP 1West Indies Associate States Supreme Court (an associate judge resides in Grenada)Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Herbert PREUDHOMME]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [leader vacant]; New National Party or NNP [George McGUIRE]NAACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Ambassador Denis G. ANTOINE 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 265-2561 New York the ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada Point Salines, Saint George s P. O. Box 54, Saint George s, Grenada, West Indies [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1176 [1] (473) 444-4820a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world s second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions Grenada EconomyIn this island economy progress in fiscal reforms and prudent macroeconomic management have kept annual growth steady since 1998. The increase in economic activity has been led by construction and trade. Tourist facilities are being expanded; tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner. Major short-term concerns are the rising fiscal deficit and the deterioration in the external account balance. Grenada shares a common central bank and a common currency with seven other members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).purchasing power parity - $394 million (2000 est.)7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2000 est.)9.7%15%75.3% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (2000 est.)42,300 (1996)services 62%, agriculture 24%, industry 14% (1999 est.)15% (1997)$85.8 million$102.1 million, including capital expenditures of $28 million (1997)food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction0.7% (1997 est.)120 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)111.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables$62.3 million (2000 est.)bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, maceCaricom 32.3%, UK 20%, US 13%, Netherlands 8.8% (1991)$217.5 million (2000 est.)food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel (1989)US 31.2%, Caricom 23.6%, UK 13.8%, Japan 7.1% (1991)$182.8 million (1998)$8.3 million (1995)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)calendar year Grenada Communications27,000 (1997)976 (1997) automatic, islandwide telephone system interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links new SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to TrinidadAM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)57,000 (1997)2 (1997)33,000 (1997).gd14 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,040 km638 km402 km (1996)noneGrenville, Saint George s Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 3 1 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard$NANA%international- nonesmall-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GuadeloupeGuadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of Saint-Martin is divided with the Netherlands (whose southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles).Caribbean, islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico16 15 N, 61 35 WCentral America and the Caribbean1,780 sq km1,706 sq km74 sq km note- Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin10 times the size of Washington, DCtotal- 10.2 kmNetherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km306 km200 NM12 NMsubtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidityBasse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in originCaribbean Sea 0 mSoufriere 1,467 mcultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism14%4%14%39%29% (1993 est.)30 sq km (1993 est.)hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere is an active volcanoNA431,170 (July 2001 est.) 24.99% (male 55,030; female 52,722) 66.22% (male 141,294; female 144,232) 8.79% (male 15,901; female 21,991) (2001 est.)1.07% (2001 est.)16.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)9.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.16 years 74.01 years 80.48 years (2001 est.)1.93 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAGuadeloupian(s)Guadeloupeblack or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant 1%French (official) 99%, Creole patois age 15 and over can read and write 90% 90% 90% (1982 est.)Department of GuadeloupeGuadeloupeDepartement de la GuadeloupeGuadeloupeoverseas department of FranceNABasse-Terrenone (overseas department of France)none (overseas department of France)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)French legal system18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean FEDINI (since NA 1996)President of the General Council Marcellin LUBETH (since NA March 1998); President of the Regional Council Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992)NA French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils NAunicameral General Council or Conseil General (42 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) General Council - last held 22 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2004); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - diverse left parties 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6, diverse right parties 5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - RPR 48.03%, PS/PPDG/diverse left parties 24.49%, PCG 5.29%, diverse right parties 5.73%; seats by party - RPR 25, PS/PPDG/diverse left parties 12, PCG 2, diverse right parties 2 note- Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 1, FGPS 1; Guadeloupe elects four representatives to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May - 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FGPS 2, RPR 1, PPDG 1Court of Appeal or Cour d Appel with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and MartiniqueCommunist Party of Guadeloupe or PCG [Christian CELESTE]; Progressive Democratic Party or PPDG [Henri BANGOU]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Aldo BLAISE]; Socialist Party or PS [Georges LOUISOR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Marcel ESDRAS]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 Independent Guadeloupe or MPGIFZ, WCL, WFTUthree horizontal bands, a narrow green band (top), a wide red band, and a narrow green band; the green bands are separated from the red band by two narrow white stripes; a gold five-pointed star is centered in the red band toward the hoist side; the flag of France is used for official occasions Guadeloupe EconomyThe economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It also depends on France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industry features sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young. Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy.purchasing power parity - $3.7 billion (1997 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $9,000 (1997 est.)15%17%68% (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA125,900 (1997)NA27.8% (1998)$225 million$390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996)construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourismNA%1.3 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.209 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats$140 million (f.o.b., 1997)bananas, sugar, rumFrance 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% (1997)$1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1997)foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materialsFrance 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands Antilles 2% (1997)$NA$NA; note - substantial annual French subsidiesFrench franc (FRF); euro (EUR)FRF; EUREuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year Guadeloupe Communications171,000 (1996)NA domestic facilities inadequate NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and MartiniqueAM 1, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)113,000 (1997)5 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)118,000 (1997).gp3 (2000)4,000 (2000)NA km; privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines2,560 km965 km1,595 km (1996)noneBasse-Terre, Gustavia (on Saint Barthelemy), Marigot, Pointe-a-Pitre1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,240 GRT/109 DWTpassenger 1 (2000 est.)9 (2000 est.) 8 1 2 5 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)French Forces, Gendarmerie Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- none --------------------------------------------------------------------------------GuatemalaGuatemala was freed of Spanish colonial rule 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 led to the death of more than 100,000 people and had created some 1 million refugees.Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico15 30 N, 90 15 WCentral America and the Caribbean108,890 sq km108,430 sq km460 sq kmslightly smaller than Tennesseetotal- 1,687 kmBelize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km400 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlandsmostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)Pacific Ocean 0 mVolcan Tajumulco 4,211 mpetroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower12%5%24%54%5% (1993 est.)1,250 sq km (1993 est.)numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical stormsdeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; Hurricane Mitch damageAntarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAntarctic-Environmental Protocolno natural harbors on west coast12,974,361 (July 2001 est.) 42.11% (male 2,789,189; female 2,674,747) 54.25% (male 3,518,209; female 3,519,851) 3.64% (male 220,640; female 251,725) (2001 est.)2.6% (2001 est.)34.61 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.79 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)45.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 66.51 years 63.85 years 69.31 years (2001 est.)4.58 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.38% (1999 est.)73,000 (1999 est.)3,600 (1999 est.)Guatemalan(s)GuatemalanMestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2%Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefsSpanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (more than 20 Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) age 15 and over can read and write 63.6% 68.7% 58.5% (2000 est.)Republic of GuatemalaGuatemalaRepublica de GuatemalaGuatemalaconstitutional democratic republicGuatemala22 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, Zacapa15 September 1821 (from Spain)Independence Day, 15 September (1821)31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote)President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers named by the president president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 1999; runoff held 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera elected president; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo (PAN) 32%unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (113 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 7 November 1999 (next to be held in November 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FRG 63, PAN 37, ANN 9, DCG 2, UD/LOV 1, PLP 1 note- for the 7 November 1999 election, the number of congressional seats was increased from 80 to 113Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (thirteen 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); Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and one by Colegio de Abogados)Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Jorge Luis ORTEGA]; Democratic Union or UD [Jose Luis CHEA Urruela]; Green Party or LOV [Jose ASTURIAS Rudecke]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Pablo MONSANTO, also known as Jorge SOTO]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; New Nation Alliance or ANN [leader NA], which includes the URNG; National Advancement Party or PAN [Leonel LOPEZ Rodas]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]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 GAMBCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Ariel RIVERA Irias 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 745-4952 [1] (202) 745-1908 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Prudence BUSHNELL 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City APO AA 34024 [502] 331-1541/55 [502] 334-8477three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath Guatemala EconomyThe agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Former President ARZU (1996-2000) worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. The 1996 signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused relatively little damage to Guatemala compared to its neighbors. Ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, and increasing the efficiency and openness of both government and private financial operations. Despite low international prices for Guatemala s main commodities, the economy grew by 3% in 2000 and is forecast to grow by 4% in 2001. Guatemala, along with Honduras and El Salvador, recently concluded a free trade agreement with Mexico and has moved to protect international property rights. However, the PORTILLO administration has undertaken a review of privatizations under the previous administration, thereby creating some uncertainty among investors.purchasing power parity - $46.2 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2000 est.)23%20%57% (2000 est.)60% (2000 est.)0.6%46.6% (1989)6% (2000 est.)4.2 million (1999 est.)agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.)7.5% (1999 est.)$2.2 billion$1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism4.1% (1999)3.785 billion kWh (1999)38.31%61.69%0% 0% (1999)3.295 billion kWh (1999)435 million kWh (1999)210 million kWh (1999)sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens$2.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000)coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, meat, apparel, petroleum, electricityUS 51.4%, El Salvador 8.7%, Honduras 5%, Costa Rica 3.4%, Germany 2.7% (1998)$4.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricityUS 42.8%, Mexico 9.9%, Japan 4.8%, El Salvador 4.3%, Venezuela 3.8% (1998)$4.7 billion (2000 est.)$212 million (1995)quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowedGTQ; USDquetzales per US dollar - 7.8020 (January 2001), 7.7632 (2000), 7.3856 (1999), 6.3947 (1998), 6.0653 (1997), 6.0495 (1996), 5.8103 (1995)calendar year Guatemala Communications665,061 (June 2000)663,296 (September 2000) fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala NA connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)835,000 (1997)26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)1.323 million (1997).gt5 (2000)65,000 (2000)884 km (102 km privately owned)884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)13,856 km4,370 km (including 140 km of expressways)9,486 km (1998)990 km note- 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during highwater seasoncrude oil 275 kmChamperico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)477 (2000 est.) 11 3 1 5 2 (2000 est.) 466 1 9 124 332 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 3,092,050 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,018,636 (2001 est.)males- 140,358 (2001 est.)$120 million (FY99)0.6% (FY99)international- Guatemala periodically asserts claims to territory in southern Belize; to deter cross-border squatting, both states in 2000 agreed to a "line of adjacency" based on the de facto boundary, which is not recognized by Guatemalatransit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is probably increasingGuernseyThe island of 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.Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France49 28 N, 2 35 WEurope194 sq km194 sq km0 sq km note- includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islandsslightly larger than Washington, DC0 km50 kmexclusive fishing zone- 12 NM3 NMtemperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcastmostly level with low hills in southwestAtlantic Ocean 0 munnamed location on Sark 114 mcroplandNA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA sq kmNANAlarge, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port64,342 (July 2001 est.) 16.22% (male 5,285; female 5,151) 66.67% (male 21,264; female 21,630) 17.11% (male 4,546; female 6,466) (2001 est.)0.39% (2001 est.)9.9 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.87 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.78 years 76.78 years 82.88 years (2001 est.)1.36 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAChannel Islander(s)Channel IslanderUK and Norman-French descentAnglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, MethodistEnglish, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts NA NA% NA% NA%Bailiwick of GuernseyGuernseyBritish crown dependencyNASaint Peter Portnone (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including St. Peter Port, St. Sampson, Vale, Castel, St. Saviour, St. Pierre du Bois, Torteval, Forest, St. Martin, St. Andrewnone (British crown dependency)Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practiceEnglish law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 12 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Sir John FOLEY (since NA 2000) and Bailiff De Vic G. CAREY (since NA)Advisory and Finance Committee appointed by the Assembly of the States none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; bailiff appointed by the monarchunicameral Assembly of the States; consists of the Bailiff, 10 Douzaine (parish council) representatives, 45 People s Deputies elected by popular franchise, 2 Alderney representatives, HM Procureur (Attorney General), HM Comptroller (Solicitor General) and HM Greffier (Court Recorder and Registrar General) last held 12 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independentsRoyal Courtnone; all independentsnonenonewhite 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 Guernsey EconomyFinancial services - banking, fund management, insurance, etc. - account for about 55% of total income in this tiny Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the rules of the game under which Guernsey operates.purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1999 est.)5.7% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $20,000 (1999 est.)3%10%87% (2000)NA%NA%NA%3.99% (2000 est.)31,322 (2000)0.5% (1999 est.)$381.3 million$368.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)tourism, bankingNA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhNA kWhNA kWhtomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle$NAtomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetablesUK (regarded as internal trade)$NAcoal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipmentUK (regarded as internal trade)$NA$NABritish pound (GBP); note - there is also a Guernsey poundGBPGuernsey pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); note - the Guernsey pound is at par with the British poundcalendar year Guernsey Communications44,000 (1996)12,000 (1997) NA NA 1 submarine cableAM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)NA1 (1997)NA.ggNANA Railways- 0 kmNA kmNA kmNA kmnoneSaint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- noneGuineaIndependent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone11 00 N, 10 00 WAfrica245,857 sq km245,857 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Oregontotal- 3,399 kmCote d Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km320 km200 NM12 NMgenerally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan windsgenerally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interiorAtlantic Ocean 0 mMont Nimba 1,752 mbauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish2%0%22%59%17% (1993 est.)930 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry seasondeforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest regionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whalingnone of the selected agreements7,613,870 (July 2001 est.) 43.12% (male 1,637,000; female 1,645,786) 54.19% (male 2,015,199; female 2,110,745) 2.69% (male 84,586; female 120,554) (2001 est.)1.96% (2001 est.)39.78 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)17.53 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- as a result of civil war in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to almost half a million Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)129.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 45.91 years 43.49 years 48.42 years (2001 est.)5.39 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.54% (1999 est.)55,000 (1999 est.)5,600 (1999 est.)Guinean(s)GuineanPeuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%French (official), each ethnic group has its own language age 15 and over can read and write 35.9% 49.9% 21.9% (1995 est.)Republic of GuineaGuineaRepublique de GuineeGuineeFrench GuinearepublicConakry33 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, Yomou2 October 1958 (from France)Independence Day, 2 October (1958)23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)Prime Minister Lamine SIDIME (since 8 March 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 14 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003); the prime minister is appointed by the president Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 56.1%, Mamadou Boye BA (UNR-PRP) 24.6%, Alpha CONDE (RPG) 16.6%,unicameral People s National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 11 June 1995 (next scheduled for 26 November 2000 postponed indefinitely due to border fighting with rebels from Sierra Leone and Liberia) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PUP 71, RPG 19, PRP 9, UNR 9, UPG 2, PDG-AST 1, UNP 1, PDG-RDA 1, other 1Court of Appeal or Cour d AppelDemocratic Party of Guinea or PDG-AST [Marcel CROS]; Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UNP [Paul Louis FABER]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP [Siradiou DIALLO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for the New Republic or UNR [Mamadou Boye BA]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Mohamed Aly THIAM 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-9420 [1] (202) 483-8688 Charge d Affaires Timberlake FOSTER Rue Ka 038, Conakry B. P. 603, Conakry [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 [224] 41 15 22three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band Guinea EconomyGuinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains a poor underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world s bauxite reserves and is the second largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. The government made encouraging progress in budget management in 1997-99, and reform progress was praised in the World Bank/IMF October 2000 assessment. However, escalating fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders will cause major economic disruptions. In addition to direct defense costs, the violence has led to a sharp decline in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Real GDP growth is expected to fall to 2% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $10 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2000 est.)22.3%35.3%42.4% (1998 est.)40% (1994 est.)2.6%32% (1994)6% (2000 est.)3 million (1999)agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.)NA%$NA$417.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (2000 est.)bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries3.2% (1994)750 million kWh (1999)46.67%53.33%0% 0% (1999)697.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber$820 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural productsUS, Benelux, Ukraine, Ireland (1999)$634 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffsFrance, Belgium, US, Cote d Ivoire (1999)$3.6 billion (1999 est.)$359.2 million (1998)Guinean franc (GNF)GNFGuinean francs per US dollar - 1,855.0 (October 2000), 1,572.0 (2000), 1,387.4 (1999), 1,236.8 (1998), 1,095.3 (1997), 1,004.0 (1996)calendar year Guinea Communications20,000 (1997)2,868 (1997) poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 3 (1998)357,000 (1997)6 (1997)85,000 (1997).gn1 (2000)5,000 (2000)1,086 km279 km 1.435-m gauge807 km 1.000-m gauge (includes 662 km in common carrier service from Kankan to Conakry)30,500 km5,033 km25,467 km (1996)1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft)Boke, Conakry, Kamsar Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)15 (2000 est.) 5 1 1 3 (2000 est.) 10 6 3 1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)males age 15-49- 1,764,912 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 891,166 (2001 est.)$56 million (FY96)1.4% (FY96)international- border incursions by Revolutionary United Front combatants from Sierra Leone; civil war in that country has engendered a massive flow of refugees to southern Guinea and LiberiaGuinea-BissauIn 1994, 20 years after independence from Portugal, the country s first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were held. An army uprising that triggered a bloody civil war in 1998, created hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. The president was ousted by a military junta in May 1999. An interim government turned over power in February 2000 when opposition leader Koumba YALLA took office following two rounds of transparent presidential elections. Guinea-Bissau s transition back to democracy will be complicated by a crippled economy devastated by civil war and the military s predilection for governmental meddling.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal12 00 N, 15 00 WAfrica36,120 sq km28,000 sq km8,120 sq kmslightly less than three times the size of Connecticuttotal- 724 kmGuinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km350 km200 NM12 NMtropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan windsmostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in eastAtlantic Ocean 0 munnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 mfish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits of petroleum11%1%38%38%12% (1993 est.)17 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush firesdeforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements1,315,822 (July 2001 est.) 42.09% (male 276,312; female 277,536) 55.05% (male 344,493; female 379,889) 2.86% (male 16,850; female 20,742) (2001 est.)2.23% (2001 est.)39.29 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)15.33 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)110.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 49.42 years 47.12 years 51.78 years (2001 est.)5.2 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.5% (1999 est.)14,000 (1999 est.)1,300 (1999 est.)Guinean (s)GuineanAfrican 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages age 15 and over can read and write 53.9% 67.1% 40.7% (1997 est.)Republic of Guinea-BissauGuinea-BissauRepublica da Guine-BissauGuine-BissauPortuguese Guinearepublic, multiparty since mid-1991Bissau9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by Guinea-Bissau); 10 September 1974 (recognized by Portugal)Independence Day, 24 September (1973)16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and 1996NA18 years of age; universalPresident Koumba YALLA (since 18 February 2000)Prime Minister Faustino IMBALI (since 20 March 2001)NA president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 28 November 1999 and 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the legislature Koumba YALLA elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Koumba YALLA (PRS) 72%, Malan Bacai SANHA (PAIGC) 28%unicameral National People s Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve a maximum of four years) last held 28 November 1999 (next to be held by NA 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRS 37, RGB 27, PAIGC 25, 11 remaining seats went to 5 of the remaining 10 parties that fielded candidatesSupreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices who are 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 over $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases under $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases)African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Francisco BENANTE]; Front for the Liberation and Independence of Guinea or FLING [Francois MENDY]; Guinea-Bissau Resistance-Ba Fata Movement or RGB-MB [Helder Vaz LOPES]; Guinean Civic Forum or FCG [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; International League for Ecological Protection or LIPE [Alhaje Bubacar DJALO, president]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Abubacer BALDE, secretary general]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Social Renovation Party or PRS [Koumba YALLA]; Union for Change or UM [Jorge MANDINGA, president, Dr. Anne SAAD, secretary general]; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Victor Sau de MARIA]NAACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Mario LOPES DA ROSA Suite 519, 1511 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 347-3950 [1] (202) 347-3954two 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 Guinea-Bissau EconomyOne of the 20 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 sixth 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 1999-2000. 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. However, unexploited offshore oil reserves could provide much-needed revenue in the long run.purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (2000 est.)7.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $850 (2000 est.)54%15%31% (1997 est.)50% (1991 est.)0.5%42.4% (1991)3% (2000 est.)480,000agriculture 78%NA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAagricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks2.6% (1997 est.)55 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)51.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish$80 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cashew nuts 70%, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber (1996)India 59%, Singapore 12%, Italy 10% (1998)$55.2 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products (1996)Portugal 26%, France 8%, Senegal 8%, Netherlands 7% (1998)$964 million (1998 est.)$115.4 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States; previously the Guinea-Bissau peso (GWP) was usedXOF; GWPCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997); Guinea-Bissauan pesos per US dollar - 26,373 (1996) note- as of 1 May 1997, Guinea-Bissau adopted the CFA franc as the national currency; since 1 January 1999, the CFA franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per eurocalendar year Guinea-Bissau Communications8,000 (1997)NA small system combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and cellular communications NAAM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)49,000 (1997)2 (1997)NA.gw1 (2000)1,500 (2000) Railways- 0 km4,400 km453 km3,947 km (1996)several rivers are accessible to coastal shippingBissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)29 (2000 est.) 3 1 1 1 (2000 est.) 26 1 4 21 (2000 est.)People s Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary forcemales age 15-49- 305,071 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 173,703 (2001 est.)$8 million (FY96)2.8% (FY96)international- noneGuyanaGuyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966 and became a republic in 1970. In 1989 Guyana launched an Economic Recovery Program, which marked a dramatic reversal from a state-controlled, socialist economy towards a more open, free market system. Results through the first decade have proven encouraging.Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela5 00 N, 59 00 WSouth America214,970 sq km196,850 sq km18,120 sq kmslightly smaller than Idahototal- 2,462 kmBrazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km459 km200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in southAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Roraima 2,835 mbauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish2%0%6%84%8% (1993 est.)1,300 sq km (1993 est.)flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasonswater pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94none of the selected agreements697,181 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 28.19% (male 100,194; female 96,309) 66.89% (male 234,976; female 231,360) 4.92% (male 15,324; female 19,018) (2001 est.)0.07% (2001 est.)17.92 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.87 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-8.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)38.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.31 years 60.52 years 66.24 years (2001 est.)2.1 children born/woman (2001 est.)3.01% (1999 est.)15,000 (1999 est.)900 (1999 est.)Guyanese (singular and plural)GuyaneseEast Indian 49%, black 32%, mixed 12%, Amerindian 6%, white and Chinese 1%Christian 50%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 8%English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu age 15 and over has ever attended school 98.1% 98.6% 97.5% (1995 est.)Co-operative Republic of GuyanaGuyanaBritish Guianarepublic within the CommonwealthGeorgetown10 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 Essequibo26 May 1966 (from UK)Republic Day, 23 February (1970)6 October 1980based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President JAGANPrime Minister Samuel HINDS (since NA December 1997)Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature president elected by the majority party in the National Assembly following legislative elections, which must be held at least every five years; elections last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of legislative vote - NA%unicameral National Assembly (65 seats, 53 elected by popular vote, 10 elected by the ten Regional Democratic Councils, and 2 elected by the National Congress of Local Democratic Organs; members serve five-year terms) last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPP/C 34, PNC 27, GAP and WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1Supreme Court of Judicature; Judicial Court of Appeal; High CourtAlliance for Guyana or AFG (includes Guyana Labor Party or GLP and Working People s Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARINE]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [leader NA]; Guyana Labor Party or GLP [leader NA]; People s National Congress or PNC [Hugh Desmond HOYTE]; People s Progressive Party or PPP [Janet JAGEN]; Rise, Organize and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; Working People s Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPARNINE]Civil Liberties Action Committee or CLAC; Guyana Council of Indian Organizations or GCIO; Rise, Organize and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; Trades Union Congress or TUC note- the GCIO and the CLAC are small and active but not well organizedACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-6900 New York Ambassador Ronald D. GODARD 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown [592] (2) 54900 through 54909, 57960 through 57969 [592] (2) 58497green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green Guyana EconomySevere drought and political turmoil contributed to Guyana s negative growth of -1.8% for 1998 following six straight years of growth of 5% or better. Growth came back to a positive 1.8% in 1999 and 3% in 2000. Underlying growth factors have included expansion in the key agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative, a more realistic exchange rate, a moderate inflation rate, and continued support by international organizations. President JAGDEO, the former finance minister, is taking steps to reform the economy, including drafting an investment code and restructuring the inefficient and unresponsive public sector. Problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government must persist in efforts to manage its sizable external debt and attract new investment.purchasing power parity - $3.4 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2000 est.)34.7%32.5%32.8% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%5.9% (2000 est.)245,492 (1992)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%12% (1992 est.)$220.1 million$286.4 million, including capital expenditures of $86.6 million (1998)bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp), textiles, gold mining7.1% (1997 est.)455 million kWh (1999)98.9%1.1%0% 0% (1999)423.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest and fishery potential not exploited$570 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timberUS 22%, Canada 22%, UK 18%, Netherlands Antilles 11%, Jamaica (1999)$660 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)manufactures, machinery, petroleum, foodUS 29%, Trinidad and Tobago 18%, Netherlands Antilles 16%, UK 7%, Japan (1999)$1.1 billion (2000)$84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997)Guyanese dollar (GYD)GYDGuyanese dollars per US dollar - 184.1 (November 2000), 182.2 (2000), 178.0 (1999), 150.5 (1998), 142.4 (1997), 140.4 (1996)calendar year Guyana Communications70,000 (2000)6,100 (2000) fair system for long-distance calling microwave radio relay network for trunk lines tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)420,000 (1997)3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997)46,000 (1997).gy3 (2000)3,000 (2000)187 km (all dedicated to ore transport)139 km 1.435-m gauge48 km 0.914-m gauge7,970 km590 km7,380 km (1996)5,900 km (total length of navigable waterways) note- Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectivelyBartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,929 GRT/4,507 DWTcargo 2 (2000 est.)51 (2000 est.) 6 3 1 2 (2000 est.) 45 1 8 36 (2000 est.)Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana People s Militia (GPM), Guyana National Service (GNS), Guyana Police Forcemales age 15-49- 204,938 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 154,259 (2001 est.)$7 million (FY94)1.7% (FY94)international- all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari [Koetari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabisHaitiOne of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE was elected president. Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994 and oversee the installation of a close associate to the presidency in 1996. ARISTIDE won a second term as president in 2000, and took office early the following year.Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic19 00 N, 72 25 WCentral America and the Caribbean27,750 sq km27,560 sq km190 sq kmslightly smaller than Marylandtotal- 275 kmDominican Republic 275 km1,771 km24 NMto depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade windsmostly rough and mountainousCaribbean Sea 0 mChaine de la Selle 2,680 mbauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower20%13%18%5%44% (1993 est.)750 sq km (1993 est.)lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughtsextensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer ProtectionHazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Banshares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)6,964,549 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 40.31% (male 1,421,945; female 1,385,580) 55.52% (male 1,869,323; female 1,997,246) 4.17% (male 140,556; female 149,899) (2001 est.)1.4% (2001 est.)31.68 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)15 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)95.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 49.38 years 47.67 years 51.17 years (2001 est.)4.4 children born/woman (2001 est.)5.17% (1999 est.)210,000 (1999 est.)23,000 (1999 est.)Haitian(s)Haitianblack 95%, mulatto and white 5%Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982) note- roughly one-half of the population also practices VoodooFrench (official), Creole (official) age 15 and over can read and write 45% 48% 42.2% (1995 est.)Republic of HaitiHaitiRepublique d HaitiHaitielected governmentPort-au-Prince9 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est1 January 1804 (from France)Independence Day, 1 January (1804)approved March 1987; suspended June 1988, with most articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991, government claimed to be observing the constitution; return to constitutional rule, October 1994based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 2001)Prime Minister Jean-Marie CHERESTAL (since 9 February 2001)Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the Congress Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE elected president; percent of vote - Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 92%bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (27 seats; members serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (83 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held for two-thirds of seats 21 May 2000, with runoffs on 9 July boycotted by the opposition; about eight seats still disputed; election for remaining one-third held on 26 November 2000 (next to be held NA 2002); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 May 2000, with runoffs on 30 July boycotted by the opposition; one vacant seat rerun 26 November 2000 (next election NA 2004) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 26, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 73, OPL 1, other minor parties and independents 9Supreme Court or Cour de CassationAlliance for the Liberation and Advancement of Haiti or ALAH [Reynold GEORGES]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convergence (opposition coalition composed of ESPACE, OPL, and MOCHRENA) [Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES, Evans PAUL, Luc MESADIEU, Victor BENOIT]; Democratic Consultation Group coalition or ESPACE [Evans PAUL, Victor Benoit] composed of the following parties- National Congress of Democratic Movements or KONAKOM, National Progressive Revolutionary Party or PANPRA, Generation 2004, and Haiti Can; Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Marie-France CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic Party or PADEM [Clark PARENT]; Lavalas Family or FL [Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert DE RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Rene THEODORE]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; Movement for the Organization of the Country or MOP [Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE]; National Front for Change and Democracy or FNCD [Evans PAUL and Turneb DELPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Struggling People s Organization or OPL [Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES]Autonomous Haitian Workers or CATH; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic ChurchACCT, ACP, Caricom (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affaires Louis Harold JOSEPH 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-4090 [1] (202) 745-7215 Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Ambassador Brian Dean CURRAN 5 Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince [509] 222-0354, 222-0269, 222-0200, 223-4776 [509] 23-1641two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength) Haiti EconomyAbout 80% of the population lives in abject poverty. Nearly 70% of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and employs about two-thirds of the economically active work force. The country has experienced little job creation since the former President PREVAL took office in February 1996, although the informal economy is growing. Following legislative elections in May 2000, fraught with irregularities, international donors - including the US and EU - suspended almost all aid to Haiti. This destabilized the Haitian currency, the gourde, and, combined with a 40% fuel price hike in September, caused widespread price increases. Prices appear to have leveled off in January 2001.purchasing power parity - $12.7 billion (2000 est.)1.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2000 est.)32%20%48% (1999 est.)80% (1998 est.)NA%NA%19% (2000 est.)3.6 million (1995) note- shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1998)agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs (1999)$317 million$362 million, including capital expenditures of $84 million (FY99/00 est.)sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts0.6% (1997 est.)672 million kWh (1999)52.83%47.17%0% 0% (1999)625 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood$186 million (f.o.b., 1999)manufactures, coffee, oils, mangoesUS 89%, EU 8% (1999)$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1999)food, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materialsUS 60%, EU 13% (1999)$1 billion (1998 est.)$730.6 million (1995)gourde (HTG)HTGgourdes per US dollar - 23.761 (January 2001), 22.524 (2000), 17.965 (1999), 16.505 (1998), 17.311 (1997), 15.093 (1996)1 October - 30 September Haiti Communications60,000 (1997)0 (1995) domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999)415,000 (1997)2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997)38,000 (1997).ht3 (2000)6,000 (2000)40 km (single track; privately owned industrial line) - closed in early 1990s40 km 0.760-m gauge4,160 km1,011 km3,149 km (1996)NEGL; less than 100 km navigableCap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Les Cayes, Miragoane, Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)13 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.) 10 2 8 (2000 est.)Haitian National Police (HNP) note- the regular Haitian Army, Navy, and Air Force have been demobilized but still exist on paper until constitutionally abolished18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,635,253 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 888,305 (2001 est.)males- 87,049 (2001 est.)$NA; note - mainly for police and security activitiesNA%international- claims US-administered Navassa Islandmajor Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; vulnerable to money launderingHeard Island and McDonald IslandsThese uninhabited, barren 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.Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica53 06 S, 72 31 EAntarctic Region412 sq km412 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC0 km101.9 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMantarcticHeard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rockySouthern Ocean 0 mBig Ben 2,745 mnone0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1993)Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano called Big BenNAprimarily used for research stationsuninhabited (July 2001 est.)Territory of Heard Island and McDonald IslandsHeard Island and McDonald Islandsterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territoriesthe laws of Australia, where applicable, applyexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMthe flag of Australia is used Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economyno economic activity Heard Island and McDonald Islands Communications.hmnonenone; offshore anchorage only Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Australiainternational- noneHoly See (Vatican City)Popes in their secular role ruled much 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 Vatican 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 the failing health of Pope John Paul II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the adjustment of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)41 54 N, 12 27 EEurope0.44 sq km0.44 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCtotal- 3.2 kmItaly 3.2 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)low hillunnamed location 19 munnamed location 75 mnone0%0%0%0%100% (urban area)0 sq km (1993)NANAnone of the selected agreementsAir Pollution, Environmental Modificationurban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world s smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope s summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights890 (July 2001 est.)1.15% (2001 est.)NA%NANAnonenoneItalians, Swiss, otherRoman CatholicItalian, Latin, French, various other languages NA 100% NA% NA%The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)Holy See (Vatican City)Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)ecclesiasticalVatican City11 February 1929 (from Italy)Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978)Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)NAlimited to cardinals less than 80 years oldnone (landlocked)Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978)Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990)Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope Karol WOJTYLA elected popeunicameral Pontifical Commissionnone; normally handled by Italynonenone (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer) Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele MONTALVO 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-7121 Ambassador (vacant) Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00162 Rome PSC 59, Box F, APO AE 09624 [39] (06) 4674-3428 [39] (06) 5758346two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band Holy See (Vatican City) EconomyThis unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter s Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.NA%NA%NA%NAagriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican$209.6 million$198.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activitiesNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhNA kWh; note - electricity supplied by ItalynoneItalian lira (ITL); euro (EUR)ITL; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Vatican lire per US dollar - 2,099 (2000), 1817.2 (1999), 1,736.2 (1998), 1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira; the Vatican will start using euros in 2002 in conjunction with Italy at a fixed rate of 1,936.17 lire per eurocalendar year Holy See (Vatican City) CommunicationsNANA automatic exchange tied into Italian system uses Italian systemAM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998)NA1 (1996)NA.va93 (Holy See and Italy) (2000)NA862 m; note - a spur of the Italian Railways system, serving Rome s Saint Peter s station862 m 1.435-m gauge (1999) Highways- none; all city streetsnonenonenone1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Popeinternational- noneHondurasPart of Spain s vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and one-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 against leftist guerrillas.Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua15 00 N, 86 30 WCentral America and the Caribbean112,090 sq km111,890 sq km200 sq kmslightly larger than Tennesseetotal- 1,520 kmGuatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km820 km24 NMnatural extension of territory or to 200 NM200 NM12 NMsubtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountainsmostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plainsCaribbean Sea 0 mCerro Las Minas 2,870 mtimber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower15%3%14%54%14% (1993 est.)740 sq km (1993 est.)frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coasturban 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; severe Hurricane Mitch damageBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements6,406,052 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 42.22% (male 1,381,823; female 1,322,684) 54.21% (male 1,719,593; female 1,753,003) 3.57% (male 108,271; female 120,678) (2001 est.)2.43% (2001 est.)31.94 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.52 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)30.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.35 years 67.51 years 71.28 years (2001 est.)4.15 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.92% (1999 est.)63,000 (1999 est.)4,200 (1999 est.)Honduran(s)Honduranmestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minoritySpanish, Amerindian dialects age 15 and over can read and write 72.7% 72.6% 72.7% (1995 est.)Republic of HondurasHondurasRepublica de HondurasHondurasdemocratic constitutional republicTegucigalpa18 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, Yoro15 September 1821 (from Spain)Independence Day, 15 September (1821)11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995rooted 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 reservations18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since 27 January 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; First Vice President William HANDAL (since NA); Second Vice President Gladys CABALLERO de Arevalo (since NA); Third Vice President Hector Vidal CERRATO Hernandez (since NA)President Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since 27 January 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; First Vice President William HANDAL (since NA); Second Vice President Gladys CABALLERO de Arevalo (since NA); Third Vice President Hector Vidal CERRATO Hernandez (since NA)Cabinet appointed by president president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 30 November 1997 (next to be held 25 November 2001) Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse elected president; percent of vote - Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (PL) 50%, Nora de MELGAR (PN) 40%, other 10%unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally to the number of votes their party s presidential candidate receives to serve four-year terms) last held on 30 November 1997 (next to be held 25 November 2001) percent of vote by party - PL 46%, PN 38%, PINU-SD 4%, PDC 2%, PUD 2%; seats by party - PL 67, PN 55, PINU-SD 3, PDC 2, PUD 1Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are elected for four-year terms by the National Congress)Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Efrain DIAZ Arrivillaga, president]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Marias FUNES Valladares, president]; Liberal Party or PL [Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse, president]; National Innovation and Unity Party-Social Democratic Party or PINU-SD [Olban VALLADARES, president]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Carlos URBIZO, president]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 Federation of Honduran Workers or FUTHBCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Hugo NOE PINO Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 966-7702 [1] (202) 966-9751 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) honorary consulate(s)- Boston, Detroit, and Jacksonville Ambassador Frank ALMAGUER Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa [504] 238-5114, 236-9320 [504] 236-9037three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Honduras EconomyHonduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, is banking on expanded trade privileges under the Enhanced Caribbean Basin Initiative and on debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. While reconstruction from 1998 s Hurricane Mitch is at an advanced stage, and the country has met most of its macroeconomic targets, it failed to meet the IMF s goals to liberalize its energy and telecommunications sectors. Economic growth has rebounded nicely since the hurricane and should continue in 2001.purchasing power parity - $17 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2000 est.)16.2%31.9%51.9% (1999 est.)53% (1993 est.)1.2%42.1% (1996)11% (2000 est.)2.3 million (1997 est.)agriculture 29%, industry 21%, services 50% (1998 est.)28% (2000 est.)$607 million$411.9 million, including capital expenditures of $106 million (1999 est.)sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products4% (1999 est.)3.319 billion kWh (1999)44.71%55.29%0% 0% (1999)3.232 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)145 million kWh (1999)bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp$2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)coffee, bananas, shrimp, lobster, meat; zinc, lumberUS 35.4%, Germany 7.5%, El Salvador 6.4%, Guatemala 5.8%, Nicaragua 4.8% (1999)$2.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffsUS 47.1%, Guatemala 7.4%, El Salvador 5.9%, Mexico 4.8%, Japan 4.7% (1999)$5.4 billion (2000)$557.8 million (1999)lempira (HNL)HNLlempiras per US dollar - 15.1407 (December 2000), 15.1407 (2000), 14.5039 (1999), 13.8076 (1998), 13.0942 (1997), 12.8694 (1996)calendar year Honduras Communications234,000 (1997)14,427 (1997) inadequate system NA satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave SystemAM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998)2.45 million (1997)11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)570,000 (1997).hn8 (2000)20,000 (2000)595 km349 km 1.067-m gauge; 246 km 0.914-m gauge (1999)15,400 km3,126 km12,274 km (1999 est.)465 km (navigable by small craft)La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela, Puerto Lempira313 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 760,819 GRT/820,582 DWTbulk 21, cargo 187, chemical tanker 7, container 4, livestock carrier 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 52, refrigerated cargo 17, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 5, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 2 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Russia 4, Singapore 2, Vietnam 1 (2000 est.)119 (2000 est.) 12 3 2 4 3 (2000 est.) 107 2 21 84 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,515,101 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 902,220 (2001 est.)males- 72,335 (2001 est.)$35 million (FY99)0.6% (FY99)international- with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; the maritime boundary dispute with Nicaragua in the Caribbean Sea is before the ICJtransshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; vulnerable to money launderingHong KongOccupied 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 China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China s socialist economic system will not be practiced in Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China22 15 N, 114 10 ESoutheast Asia1,092 sq km1,042 sq km50 sq kmsix times the size of Washington, DCtotal- 30 kmChina 30 km733 km3 NMtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fallhilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in northSouth China Sea 0 mTai Mo Shan 958 moutstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar6%1%1%20%72% (1997 est.)20 sq km (1997 est.)occasional typhoonsair and water pollution from rapid urbanizationMarine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)more than 200 islands7,210,505 (July 2001 est.) 17.73% (male 677,785; female 600,781) 71.52% (male 2,554,329; female 2,602,662) 10.75% (male 354,199; female 420,749) (2001 est.)1.3% (2001 est.)11.13 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.67 years 76.97 years 82.55 years (2001 est.)1.29 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.06% (1999 est.)2,500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)ChineseChineseChinese 95%, other 5%eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official age 15 and over has ever attended school 92.2% 96% 88.2% (1996 est.)Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionHong KongXianggang Tebie XingzhengquXianggang abbreviation- HKspecial administrative region of ChinaNAnone (special administrative region of China)none (special administrative region of China)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 DayBasic Law approved in March 1990 by China s National People s Congress is Hong Kong s "mini-constitution"based on English common lawdirect election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodiesPresident of China JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993)Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997)Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members and 10 appointed members; ex-officio members are- Chief Secretary Anson CHAN (since 29 November 1993), Financial Secretary Donald TSANG (since 7 March 1995), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since 1 July 1997) NAunicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 24 elected by popular vote, and 6 elected by an 800-member election committee; members serve four-year terms) last held 10 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 12, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 10, Liberal Party 7, Frontier Party 5, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance 4, New Century Forum 2, Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People s Livelihood 1, independents 19The Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionAssociation for Democracy and People s Livelihood [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [leader NA]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong [Jasper TSANG Yok-sing, chairman]; Democratic Party [Martin LEE Chu-ming, chairman]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People s Livelihood [leader NA]; Hong Kong Progressive Alliance [Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]; New Century Forum [NQ Ching-fai, chairman] note- political blocs include- pro-democracy - Association for Democracy and People s Livelihood, Citizens Party, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party, New Century ForumChinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China) [LEE Chark-tim, president]; 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]; Liberal Democratic Federation [HU Fa-kuang, chairman]APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, ESCAP (associate), ICC, ICFTU, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO Consul General Michael KLOSSON consulate(s) general- 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002 [852] 2523-9011 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address- PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002 telephone- [852] 2523-9011 FAX- [852] 2845-1598red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Hong Kong EconomyHong Kong has a bustling free market economy highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Indeed, imports and exports, including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big countries of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-97. The widespread Asian economic difficulties in 1998 hit this trade-dependent economy quite hard, with GDP down 5%. The economy is undergoing a rapid recovery, with growth of 10% in 2000 to be followed by projected growth of 5% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $181 billion (2000 est.)10% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $25,400 (2000 est.)0.1%14.3%85.6% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%3.7% (2000 est.)3.39 million (2000 est.)wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 31.5%, community and social services 24%, financing, insurance, and real estate 14.5%, transport and communications 11.6%, manufacturing 7.7%, construction 2.6% (October 1999)4.5% (2000 est.)$20.8 billion$24.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00)textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks2.1% (2000)27.726 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)32.202 billion kWh (1999)633 million kWh (1999)7.05 billion kWh (1999)fresh vegetables; poultry$204 billion (including reexports; f.o.b., 2000 est.)clothing, textiles, footwear, electrical appliances, watches and clocks, toysChina 33%, US 24%, Japan 5%, UK 4%, Germany, Singapore (1999)$215 billion (f.o.b., 2000)foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum; a large share is reexportedChina 44%, Japan 12%, US 7%, Taiwan 7%, South Korea, Singapore (1999)$48.1 billion (1999)Hong Kong dollar (HKD)HKDHong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.7990 (January 2001), 7.7912 (2000), 7.7575 (1999), 7.7453 (1998), 7.7421 (1997), 7.7343 (1996); note - Hong Kong became a special administrative region of China on 1 July 1997; before then, the Hong Kong dollar was linked to the US dollar at the rate of about 7.8 Hong Kong dollars per US dollar1 April - 31 March Hong Kong Communications3.839 million (1999)3.7 million (December 1999) modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western EuropeAM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)4.45 million (1997)4 (plus two repeaters) (1997)1.84 million (1997).hk17 (2000)1.85 million (2000)34 km34 km 1.435-m gauge (all electrified) (1996 est.)1,831 km1,831 km0 km (1997)noneHong Kong354 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,330,662 GRT/17,227,315 DWTbarge carrier 1, bulk 208, cargo 36, chemical tanker 7, combination bulk 2, container 59, liquefied gas 6, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, petroleum tanker 26, refrigerated cargo 3, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 3 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Bermuda 2, Belgium 1, Canada 2, China 9, Japan 3, Mongolia 1, Norway 1, South Africa 1, UK 7 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 3 2 1 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Hong Kong garrison of China s People s Liberation Army (PLA) including 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 Region18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,020,937 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,520,531 (2001 est.)males- 47,139 (2001 est.)$NA; note - separate budget for Hong Kong not established by ChinaNA% Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Chinainternational- nonea hub for Southeast Asian heroin and regional stimulants trade; transshipment and money-laundering center; increasing indigenous amphetamine abuseHowland IslandDiscovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; it is named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge.Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia0 48 N, 176 38 WOceania1.6 sq km1.6 sq km0 sq kmabout three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km6.4 km200 NM12 NMequatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunlow-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central areaPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 3 mguano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife0%0%0%5%95%0 sq km (1998)the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazardno natural fresh water resourcesalmost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlifeuninhabited note- American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2001 est.)noneHowland Islandunincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge systemthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Howland Island Economyno economic activitynonenone; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coastairstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable (2000 est.) Transportation - note- Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guardinternational- noneHungaryHungary was 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 announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.Central Europe, northwest of Romania47 00 N, 20 00 EEurope93,030 sq km92,340 sq km690 sq kmslightly smaller than Indianatotal- 2,009 kmAustria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Yugoslavia 151 km, Slovakia 515 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summersmostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian borderTisza River 78 mKekes 1,014 mbauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land51%3.6%12.4%19%14% (1999)2,060 sq km (1993 est.)the approximation of Hungary s standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investmentsAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sealandlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin10,106,017 (July 2001 est.) 16.63% (male 862,468; female 818,052) 68.66% (male 3,406,717; female 3,532,008) 14.71% (male 546,992; female 939,780) (2001 est.)-0.32% (2001 est.)9.32 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.58 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2001 est.)8.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.63 years 67.28 years 76.3 years (2001 est.)1.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.05% (1999 est.)2,500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Hungarian(s)HungarianHungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8% age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 98% (1980 est.)Republic of HungaryHungaryMagyar KoztarsasagMagyarorszagparliamentary democracyBudapest19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20 urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city** (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*, Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely*, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*, Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*, Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg*1001 (unification by King Stephen I)St. Stephen s Day, 20 August18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial systemrule of law based on Western model18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)Ferenc MADL (since NA August 2000)Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 6 July 1998)Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 6 June 2000 (next to be held by June 2005); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president Ferenc MADL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% (but by a simple majority in the third round of voting); Viktor ORBAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA% 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 roundunicameral 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) last held on 10 and 24 May 1998 (next to be held May/June 2002) percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSZP 32.0%, FIDESZ 28.2%, FKGP 13.8%, SZDSZ 7.9%, MIEP 5.5%, MMP 4.1%, MDF 2.8%, KDNP 2.3%, MDNP 1.5%; seats by party - MSZP 134, FIDESZ 148, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 17, MIEP 14, independent 1; note - seating as of 2000 by party - MSZP 136, FIDESZ 141, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 16, MIEP 12, independents 9Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms)Alliance of Free Democrats or SZDSZ [Gabor DEMSZKY]; Christian Democratic People s Party or KDNP [Gyorgy GICZY, president]; Federation of Young Democrats-Hungarian Civic Party or FYD-HCP [Laszlo KOVER]; note - used to be Hungarian Civic Party or FIDESZ; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Democratic People s Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSZP [Laszlo KOVACS, chairman]; Hungarian Workers Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman]; Independent Smallholders or FKGP [Jozsef TORGYAN, president]NAABEDA, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Geza JESZENSZKY 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 362-6730 [1] (202) 966-8135 Los Angeles and New York Ambassador Peter F. TUFO Szabadsag Ter 12, H.-1054 Budapest pouch- American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 [36] (1) 475-4400, 475-4703 (after hours) [36] (1) 475-4764three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green Hungary EconomyHungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling $23 billion by 2000. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central European transition economies. Inflation - a top economic concern in 2000 - is still high at almost 10%, pushed upward by higher world oil and gas and domestic food prices. Economic reform measures such as health care reform, tax reform, and local government financing have not yet been addressed by the ORBAN government.purchasing power parity - $113.9 billion (2000 est.)5.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $11,200 (2000 est.)5%35%60% (2000 est.)8.6% (1993 est.)3.9%24.8% (1996)9.8% (1999 est.)4.2 million (1997)services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996)9.4% (2000 est.)$13 billion$14.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles18% (2000 est.)36.75 billion kWh (1999)61.09%0.51%38.4% 0% (1999)35.234 billion kWh (1999)2.35 billion kWh (1999)3.406 billion kWh (1999)wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products$25.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment 59.5%, other manufactures 29.4%, food products 6.9%, raw materials 2.4%, fuels and electricity 1.8% (2000)Germany 37%, Austria 9%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5% (2000)$27.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment 51.1%, other manufactures 35.9%, fuels and electricity 8.1%, food products 2.8%, raw materials 2.1% (2000)Germany 25%, Russia 8%, Austria 7%, Italy 7% (2000)$29.6 billion (2000)$122.7 million (1995)forint (HUF)HUFforints per US dollar - 282.240 (January 2001), 282.179 (2000), 237.146 (1999), 214.402 (1998), 186.789 (1997), 152.647 (1996)calendar year Hungary Communications3.095 million (1997)1.269 million (July 1999) the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service 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; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones 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 terminalsAM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)7.01 million (1997)35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995)4.42 million (1997).hu16 (2000)650,000 (2000)7,606 km broad gauge- 36 km 1.524-m gauge7,394 km 1.435-m gauge (2,270 km electrified; 1,236 km double track)176 km 0.760-m gauge (1998) note- Hungary and Austria jointly manage the cross-border standard-gauge railway connecting Gyor, Sopron, and Ebenfurt (Gysev railroad) a distance of about 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria188,203 km81,680 km (including 448 km of expressways)106,523 km (1998 est.)1,373 km (permanently navigable) (1997)crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)Budapest, Dunaujvaros1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,199 GRT/1,050 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)43 (2000 est.) 16 2 8 4 1 1 (2000 est.) 27 3 4 12 8 (2000 est.)5 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Air Force; note - there is a paramilitary Border Guard which is under the Ministry of Interior18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,573,119 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,050,404 (2001 est.)males- 64,121 (2001 est.)$822 million (FY00)1.6% (FY00)international- Gabcikovo/Nagymaros Dam dispute with Slovakia is before the ICJmajor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and transit point for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamineIcelandSettled 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, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK65 00 N, 18 00 WArctic Region103,000 sq km100,250 sq km2,750 sq kmslightly smaller than Kentucky0 km4,988 km200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtemperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summersmostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiordsAtlantic Ocean 0 mHvannadalshnukur 2,119 mfish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite0%0%23%1%76% (1993 est.)NA sq kmearthquakes and volcanic activitywater pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatmentAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservationstrategic 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 Europe277,906 (July 2001 est.) 23.18% (male 33,238; female 31,191) 65.01% (male 91,095; female 89,583) 11.81% (male 14,681; female 18,118) (2001 est.)0.54% (2001 est.)14.62 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.52 years 77.31 years 81.92 years (2001 est.)2.01 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.14% (1999 est.)200 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Icelander(s)Icelandichomogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and CeltsEvangelical Lutheran 93%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic, none (1997)Icelandic age 15 and over can read and write 99.9% (1997 est.) NA% NA%Republic of IcelandIcelandLyoveldio IslandIslandconstitutional republicReykjavik23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla note- there may be four other counties17 June 1944 (from Denmark)Independence Day, 17 June (1944)16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president; President GRIMSSON ran unopposedunicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 8 May 1999 (next to be held by April 2003) percent of vote by party - Independence Party 40.7%, The Alliance (PA, People s Party, Women s List) 26.8%, Progressive Party 18.4%, Left-Green Alliance 9.1%, Liberal Party 4.2%; seats by party - Independence Party 26, The Alliance 17, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 6, Liberal Party 2Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the president)Independence Party (conservative) or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance [Steinsvimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party [Sverrir HERMANNSSON]; People s Party (Social Democratic Party) or SDP [Sighvatyr BJORGIVINSSON]; Progressive Party (liberal) or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; The Alliance (includes People s Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SVP, People s Movement, Women s List) [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Women s List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR]NAAustralia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Jon-Baldvin HANNIBALSSON Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 265-6653 [1] (202) 265-6656 New York Ambassador Barbara J. GRIFFITHS Laufasvegur 21, Reykjavik US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340 [354] 5629100 [354] 5629118blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Iceland EconomyIceland s Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports- fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland s economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth has been remarkably steady over the past five years at 4%-5%.purchasing power parity - $6.85 billion (2000 est.)4.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $24,800 (2000 est.)15% (includes fishing 13%)21%64% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%3.5% (2000 est.)159,000 (2000)agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999)2.7% (January 2001)$3.5 billion$3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism1.5% (2000 est.)7.069 billion kWh (1999)0.07%84.64%0% 15.29% (1999)6.574 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish$2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosiliconEU 64% (UK 20%, Germany 13%, France 5%, Denmark 5%), US 15%, Japan 5% (1999)$2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textilesEU 56% (Germany 12%, UK 9%, Denmark 8%, Sweden 6%), US 11%, Norway 10% (1999)$2.6 billion (1999) Economic aid - donor- $NAIcelandic krona (ISK)ISKIcelandic kronur per US dollar - 84.810 (January 2001), 78.676 (2000), 72.335 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997), 66.500 (1996)calendar year Iceland Communications168,000 (1997)65,746 (1997) adequate domestic service the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links 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)AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)260,000 (1997)14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)98,000 (1997).is7 (2000)144,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km12,691 km3,262 km9,429 km (1999)noneAkureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,435 GRT/4,538 DWTchemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)87 (2000 est.) 12 1 4 7 (2000 est.) 75 3 20 52 (2000 est.)no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; note - Iceland s defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavikmales age 15-49- 71,241 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 62,704 (2001 est.)$0 Military - note- defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavikinternational- Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NMIndiaThe Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goes back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in 12th were followed by European traders beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to 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. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output.Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan20 00 N, 77 00 EAsia3,287,590 sq km2,973,190 sq km314,400 sq kmslightly more than one-third the size of the UStotal- 14,103 kmBangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km7,000 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMvaries from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in northupland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in northIndian Ocean 0 mKanchenjunga 8,598 mcoal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land56%1%4%23%16% (1993 est.)535,100 sq km (1995/96 est.)droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common; earthquakesdeforestation; 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 resourcesAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingnone of the selected agreementsdominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes1,029,991,145 (July 2001 est.) 33.12% (male 175,630,537; female 165,540,672) 62.2% (male 331,790,850; female 308,902,864) 4.68% (male 24,439,022; female 23,687,200) (2001 est.)1.55% (2001 est.)24.28 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)63.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 62.86 years 62.22 years 63.53 years (2001 est.)3.04 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.7% (1999 est.)3.7 million (1999 est.)310,000 (1999 est.)Indian(s)IndianIndo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% (2000)English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication, Hindi the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people, Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi (official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati (official), Malayalam (official), Kannada (official), Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official), Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official), Sanskrit (official), Hindustani (a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India) note- 24 languages each spoken by a million or more persons; numerous other languages and dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligible age 15 and over can read and write 52% 65.5% 37.7% (1995 est.)Republic of IndiaIndiafederal republicNew Delhi28 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, Pondicherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal15 August 1947 (from UK)Republic Day, 26 January (1950)26 January 1950based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Kicheril Raman NARAYANAN (since 25 July 1997); Vice President Krishnan KANT (since 21 August 1997)Prime Minister Atal Behari VAJPAYEE (since 19 March 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister 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; election last held 14 July 1997 (next to be held NA July 2002); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 16 August 1997 (next to be held NA August 2002); prime minister elected by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held NA October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004) Kicheril Raman NARAYANAN elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA%; Krishnan KANT elected vice president; percent of Parliament vote - NA%; Atal Behari VAJPAYEE elected prime minister; percent of vote - NA%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 which 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) People s Assembly - last held 5 September through 3 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) People s Assembly - percent of vote by party - BJP alliance 40.8%, Congress alliance 33.8%, other 25.4%; seats by party - BJP alliance 304, Congress alliance 134, other 107Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65)All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [C. Jayalalitha JAYARAM]; All India Forward Bloc or AIFB [Prem Dutta PALIWAL (chairman), Chitta BASU (general secretary)]; Asom Gana Parishad [Prafulla Kumar MAHANTA]; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [Kanshi RAM]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Bangaru LAXMAN, president]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India/Marxist-Leninist or CPI/ML [Vinod MISHRA]; Congress (I) Party [Sonia GANDHI, president]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK (a regional party in Tamil Nadu) [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National League [Suliaman SAIT]; Janata Dal (Secular) [H. D. Deve GOWDA]; Janata Dal (United) or JDU [Sharad YADAV, president, I. K. GUJRAL]; Kerala Congress (Mani faction) [K. M. MANI]; Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or MDMK [VAIKO]; Muslim League [G. M. BANATWALA]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; National Democratic Alliance, a 16-party alliance including BJP, DMK, Janata Dal (U), SHS, Shiromani Akali Dal, Telugu Desam, BJD, Rinamool Congress]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Revolutionary Socialist Party or RSP [Tridip CHOWDHURY]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV, president]; Shiromani Akali Dal [Prakash Singh BADAL]; Shiv Sena [Bal THACKERAY]; Tamil Maanila Congress [G. K. MOOPANAR]; Telugu Desam Party or TDP (a regional party in Andhra Pradesh) [Chandrababu NAIDU]; Trinamool Congress [Mamata BANERJEE]numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties Hurriyat ConferenceAfDB, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Naresh CHANDRA 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Embassy located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-7000 [1] (202) 483-3972 Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Richard F. CELESTE Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 use embassy street address [91] (11) 688-9033, 611-3033 [91] (11) 419-0025 Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay)three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band India EconomyIndia s economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of support services. More than a third of the population is too poor to be able to afford an adequate diet. India s international payments position remained strong in 2000 with adequate foreign exchange reserves, moderately depreciating nominal exchange rates, and booming exports of software services. Growth in manufacturing output slowed, and electricity shortages continue in many regions.purchasing power parity - $2.2 trillion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2000 est.)25%24%51% (2000)35% (1994 est.)3.5%33.5% (1997)5.4% (2000 est.)NAagriculture 67%, services 18%, industry 15% (1995 est.)NA%$44.3 billion$73.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.)textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software7.5% (2000 est.)454.561 billion kWh (1999)79.41%17.77%2.52% 0.3% (1999)424.032 billion kWh (1999)200 million kWh (1999)1.49 billion kWh (1999)rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish$43.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufacturesUS 22%, UK 6%, Germany 5%, Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5%, UAE 4% (1999)$60.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicalsUS 9%, Benelux 8%, UK 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Japan 6%, Germany 5% (1999)$99.6 billion (2000)$2.9 billion (FY98/99)Indian rupee (INR)INRIndian rupees per US dollar - 46.540 (January 2001), 44.942 (2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996)1 April - 31 March India Communications27.7 million (October 2000)2.93 million (November 2000) mediocre service; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; major objective is to continue to expand and modernize long-distance network in order to keep pace with rapidly growing number of local subscriber lines; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but, with telephone density at about two for each 100 persons and a waiting list of over 2 million, demand for main line telephone service will not be satisfied for a very long time local service is provided by microwave radio relay and coaxial cable, with open wire and obsolete electromechanical and manual switchboard systems still in use in rural areas; starting in the 1980s, a substantial amount of digital switch gear has been introduced for local and long-distance service; long-distance traffic is carried mostly by coaxial cable and low-capacity microwave radio relay; since 1985 significant trunk capacity has been added in the form of fiber-optic cable and a domestic satellite system with 254 earth stations; mobile cellular service is provided in four metropolitan cities satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); nine gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gaidhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam; 4 submarine cables - LOCOM linking Chennai (Madras) to Penang; Indo-UAE-Gulf cable linking Mumbai (Bombay) to Al Fujayrah, UAE; India-SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-2 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay); Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with landing site at Mumbai (Bombay) (2000)AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998)116 million (1997)562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 480 stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997)63 million (1997).in43 (2000)4.5 million (2000)62,915 km (12,307 km electrified; 12,617 km double track) broad gauge- 40,620 km 1.676-m gauge18,501 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,794 km 0.762-m and 0.610-m gauge (1998 est.)3,319,644 km1,517,077 km1,802,567 km (1996)16,180 km note- 3,631 km navigable by large vesselscrude oil 3,005 km; petroleum products 2,687 km; natural gas 1,700 km (1995)Chennai (Madras), Cochin, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Vishakhapatnam315 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,433,831 GRT/10,691,973 DWTbulk 117, cargo 70, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 3, container 15, liquefied gas 9, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 76, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 2 (2000 est.)337 (2000 est.) 235 13 48 81 77 16 (2000 est.) 102 1 6 40 55 (2000 est.)16 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (including naval air arm), Air Force, various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Rashtriya Rifles, and National Security Guards)17 years of agemales age 15-49- 280,204,502 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 164,410,461 (2001 est.)males- 10,879,384 (2001 est.)$13.02 billion (FY01)2.5% (FY00)international- boundary with China in dispute; status of Kashmir with Pakistan; water-sharing problems with Pakistan over the Indus River (Wular Barrage); a portion of the boundary with Bangladesh is indefinite; exchange of 151 enclaves along border with Bangladesh subject to ratification by Indian parliament; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty Islandworld s largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of hashish and methaqualoneIndian OceanThe 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.body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia20 00 S, 80 00 EWorld68.556 million sq km note- includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Malacca, and other tributary water bodiesabout 5.5 times the size of the US66,526 kmnortheast 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 Oceansurface 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 RidgeJava Trench -7,258 msea level 0 moil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodulesoccasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reachesendangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Seamajor chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait Indian Ocean EconomyThe 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.Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India) Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa)international- some maritime disputes (see littoral states)IndonesiaThe world s largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include- implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30 August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia s national legislature, and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. The independent status of East Timor - now under UN administration - has yet to be formally established.Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean5 00 S, 120 00 ESoutheast Asia1,919,440 sq km1,826,440 sq km93,000 sq kmslightly less than three times the size of Texastotal- 2,602 kmMalaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km54,716 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlandsmostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountainsIndian Ocean 0 mPuncak Jaya 5,030 mpetroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver10%7%7%62%14% (1993 est.)45,970 sq km (1993 est.)occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoesdeforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest firesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservationarchipelago of 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean228,437,870 (July 2001 est.) 30.26% (male 35,144,702; female 33,973,879) 65.11% (male 74,273,519; female 74,458,291) 4.63% (male 4,641,816; female 5,945,663) (2001 est.)1.6% (2001 est.)22.26 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)40.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.27 years 65.9 years 70.75 years (2001 est.)2.58 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.05% (1999 est.)52,000 (1999 est.)3,100 (1999 est.)Indonesian(s)IndonesianJavanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26%Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998)Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese age 15 and over can read and write 83.8% 89.6% 78% (1995 est.)Republic of IndonesiaIndonesiaRepublik IndonesiaIndonesiaNetherlands East Indies; Dutch East IndiesrepublicJakarta27 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Irian Jaya, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Yogyakarta*; note - the province of Irian Jaya may have been divided into two new provinces - Central Irian Jaya and West Irian Jaya; with the implementation of decentralization on 1 January 2001, the 357 districts (regencies) may become the key administrative units note- following the 30 August 1999 provincial referendum for independence which was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur and the October 1999 concurrence of Indonesia s national legislature, the name East Timor was adopted as a provisional name for the political entity formerly known as Propinsi Timor Timur; East Timor is under UN administration pending its formal independence17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands)Independence Day, 17 August (1945)August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of agemeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesPresident Abdurrahman WAHID (since 20 October 1999) and Vice President MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri (since 21 October 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Abdurrahman WAHID (since 20 October 1999) and Vice President MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri (since 21 October 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president and vice president elected separately by the 700-member People s Consultative Assembly or MPR for five-year terms; election last held 20 and 21 October 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) Abdurrahman WAHID elected president, receiving 373 votes to 313 votes for MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri; MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri elected vice president, defeating Hamzah HAZ; vote totals NA note- the People s Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) includes the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR) plus 200 indirectly selected members; it meets every five years to elect the president and vice president and to approve the broad outlines of national policyunicameral House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (500 seats; 462 elected by popular vote, 38 are appointed military representatives; members serve five-year terms) last held 7 June 1999 (next to be held NA June 2004) percent of vote by party - PDI-P 37.4%, Golkar 20.9%, PKB 17.4%, PPP 10.7%, PAN 7.3%, PBB 1.8%, other 4.5%; seats by party - PDI-P 154, Golkar 120, PPP 58, PKB 51, PAN 35, PBB 14, other 30Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the president from a list of candidates approved by the legislature)Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA, chairman]; Development Unity Party or PPP (federation of former Islamic parties) [Hamzah HAZ, chairman]; Federation of Functional Groups or Golkar [Akbar TANJUNG, general chairman]; Indonesia Democracy Party or PDI (federation of former Nationalist and Christian Parties) [Budi HARDJONO, chairman]; Indonesia Democracy Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri, chairperson]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Matori Abdul DJALIL, chairman]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Amien RAIS, chairman]NAAPEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador DORODJATUN Kuntjoro-Jakti 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 775-5200 [1] (202) 775-5365 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Robert GELBARD Jalan Merdeka Selatan 4-5, Jakarta 10110 Unit 8129, Box 1, APO AP 96520 [62] (21) 3435-9000 [62] (21) 3435-9922 Surabayatwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red Indonesia EconomyIndonesia, a vast polyglot nation, faces severe economic problems, stemming from secessionist movements and the low level of security in the regions, the lack of reliable legal recourse in contract disputes, corruption, weaknesses in the banking system, and strained relations with the IMF. Investor confidence will remain low and few new jobs will be created under these circumstances. Growth of 4.8% in 2000 is not sustainable, being attributable to favorable short-term factors, including high world oil prices, a surge in nonoil exports, and increased domestic demand for consumer durables.purchasing power parity - $654 billion (2000 est.)4.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2000 est.)21%35%44% (1999 est.)20% (1998)3.6%30.3% (1996)9% (2000 est.)99 million (1999)agriculture 45%, industry 16%, services 39% (1999 est.)15%-20% (1998 est.)$26 billion$30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)petroleum and natural gas; textiles, apparel, and footwear; mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood; rubber; food; tourism7.5% (2000 est.)78.674 billion kWh (1999)80.36%14.63%0% 5.01% (1999)73.167 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs$64.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)oil and gas, plywood, textiles, rubberJapan 21%, US 14%, Singapore 10%, South Korea 7%, Netherlands 3%, Australia 3%, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan (1999 est.)$40.4 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment; chemicals, fuels, foodstuffsJapan 12%, US 12%, Singapore 10%, Germany 6%, Australia 6%, South Korea 6%, Taiwan, China (1999 est.)$144 billion (2000 est.)$43 billion from IMF program and other official external financing (1997-2000)Indonesian rupiah (IDR)IDRIndonesian rupiahs per US dollar - 10,000 (January 2001), 8,421.8 (2000), 7,855.2 (1999), 10,013.6 (1998), 2,909.4 (1997), 2,342.3 (1996)calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March, but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year Indonesia Communications5,588,310 (1998)1.07 million (1998) domestic service fair, international service good interisland microwave system and HF radio police net; domestic satellite communications system satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998)31.5 million (1997)41 (1999)13.75 million (1997).id24 (2000)400,000 (2000)6,458 km5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (101 km electrified; 101 km double track); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (1995)342,700 km158,670 km184,030 km (1997)21,579 km total note- Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 kmcrude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas 1,703 km (1989)Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Makassar, Palembang, Semarang, Surabaya609 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,698,157 GRT/3,723,933 DWTbulk 36, cargo 357, chemical tanker 10, container 25, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 1, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum tanker 117, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 15, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 5 (2000 est.)453 (2000 est.) 136 4 12 39 44 37 (2000 est.) 317 6 28 283 (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines note- as of 1 July 2000, the National Police became an independent organization that reports directly to the president18 years of agemales age 15-49- 64,046,049 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 37,418,755 (2001 est.)males- 2,263,706 (2001 est.)$1 billion (FY98/99)1.3% (FY98/99)international- Sipadan and Ligitan Islands in dispute with Malaysiaillicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle heroinIranKnown as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces subsequently crushed westernizing liberal elements. Militant 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 over disputed territory. The key current issue is how rapidly the country should open up to the modernizing influences of the outside world.Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan32 00 N, 53 00 EMiddle East1.648 million sq km1.636 million sq km12,000 sq kmslightly larger than Alaskatotal- 5,440 kmAfghanistan 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 km2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)24 NMnatural prolongationbilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf12 NMmostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coastrugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coastsCaspian Sea -28 mQolleh-ye Damavand 5,671 mpetroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur10%1%27%7%55% (1993 est.)94,000 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the northeastair pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; inadequate supplies of potable waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsEnvironmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation66,128,965 (July 2001 est.) 32.97% (male 11,150,053; female 10,654,884) 62.38% (male 20,765,001; female 20,488,672) 4.65% (male 1,617,045; female 1,453,310) (2001 est.)0.72% (2001 est.)17.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-4.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.11 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)29.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.95 years 68.61 years 71.37 years (2001 est.)2.02 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)NANAIranian(s)IranianPersian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%Shi a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha i 1%Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% age 15 and over can read and write 72.1% 78.4% 65.8% (1994 est.)Islamic Republic of IranIranJomhuri-ye Eslami-ye IranIranPersiatheocratic republicTehran28 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)Republic Day, 1 April (1979)2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministershipthe Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government15 years of age; universalLeader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)President (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani (since 3 August 1997); First Vice President Dr. Mohammad Reza AREF-YAZDI (since NA August 2001)Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 8 June 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani reelected president; percent of vote - (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani 77%unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats, note - changed from 270 seats with the 18 February 2000 election; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 18 February-NA April 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - reformers 170, conservatives 45, and independents 10; 65 seats were up for runoff election on 5 May 2000 (reformers 52, conservatives 10, independents 3)Supreme Courtthe following organizations appeared to have achieved considerable success at elections to the sixth Majlis in early 2000- Assembly of the Followers of the Imam s Line, Freethinkers Front, Islamic Iran Participation Front, Moderation and Development Party, Servants of Construction Party, Society of Self-sacrificing Devoteesactive student groups include the pro-reform "Organization for Strengthening Unity" and "the Union of Islamic Student Societies ; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Ansar-e Hizballah, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam, and the Islamic Coalition Association; opposition groups include the Liberation Movement of Iran and the Nation of Iran party; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People s Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan; the Society for the Defense of FreedomCCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO [1] (202) 965-4990three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH 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 Iran EconomyIran s economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. President KHATAMI has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI and has indicated that he will pursue diversification of Iran s oil-reliant economy although he has made little progress toward that goal. The strong oil market in 1996 helped ease financial pressures on Iran and allowed for Tehran s timely debt service payments. Iran s financial situation tightened in 1997 and deteriorated further in 1998 because of lower oil prices. The subsequent zoom in oil prices in 1999-2000 afforded Iran fiscal breathing room but does not solve Iran s structural economic problems, including the encouragement of foreign investment.purchasing power parity - $413 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2000 est.)24%28%48% (2000 est.)53% (1996 est.)NA%NA%16% (2000 est.)17.3 million note- shortage of skilled labor (1998)agriculture 33%, industry 25%, services 42% (1999 est.)14% (1999 est.)$27 billion$27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating, armaments4.4% (nonoil) (1999)103.054 billion kWh (1999)93.16%6.84%0% 0% (1999)95.84 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar$25 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum 85%, carpets, fruits and nuts, iron and steel, chemicalsJapan, Italy, UAE, South Korea, France, China$15 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military suppliesGermany, South Korea, Italy, UAE, France, Japan$7.5 billion (2000 est.)$116.5 million (1995)Iranian rial (IRR)IRRIranian rials per US dollar - 1,754.71 (January 2001), 1,764.43 (2000), 1,725.93 (1999), 1,751.86 (1998), 1,752.92 (1997), 1,750.76 (1996) note- Iran has three officially recognized exchange rates; the averages for 1999 are as follows- the official floating rate of 1,750 rials per US dollar, the "export" rate of 3,000 rials per US dollar, and the variable Tehran Stock Exchange rate, which averages 7,863 rials per US dollar; the market rate averages 8,615 rials per US dollar21 March - 20 March Iran Communications6.313 million (1997)265,000 (August 1998) inadequate but 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 as a result of heavy investing in the telephone system since 1994, the number of long-distance channels in the microwave radio relay trunk has grown substantially; many villages have been brought into the net; the number of main lines in the urban systems has approximately doubled; and thousands of mobile cellular subscribers are being served; moreover, the technical level of the system has been raised by the installation of thousands of digital switches HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; 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; satellite earth stations - 9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat; Internet service available but limited to electronic mail to promote Iranian cultureAM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 (1998)17 million (1997)28 (plus 450 low-power repeaters) (1997)4.61 million (1997).ir8 (2000)100,000 (2000)5,600 km broad gauge- 94 km 1.676-m gauge5,506 km 1.435-m gauge (146 km electrified) note- broad gauge track is employed at the borders with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan which have broad-gauge rail systems (2001)140,200 km49,440 km (including 470 km of expressways)90,760 km (1998 est.)904 km note- the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in usecrude oil 5,900 km; petroleum products 3,900 km; natural gas 4,550 kmAbadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war), Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e Anzali, Bushehr, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni, Bandar-e Lengeh, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Bandar-e Torkaman, Chabahar (Bandar Beheshti), Jazireh-ye Khark, Jazireh-ye Lavan, Jazireh-ye Sirri, Khorramshahr (limited operation since November 1992), Now Shahr152 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,097,977 GRT/7,131,688 DWTbulk 49, cargo 38, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 1, container 10, liquefied gas 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 32, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Singapore 1 (2000 est.)317 (2000 est.) 117 38 23 25 24 7 (2000 est.) 200 2 3 13 122 60 (2000 est.)11 (2000 est.)Islamic Republic of Iran regular forces (includes Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces), Revolutionary Guards (includes Ground, Air, Navy, Qods, and Basij-mobilization-forces), Law Enforcement Forces21 years of agemales age 15-49- 18,319,328 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 10,872,407 (2001 est.)males- 823,040 (2001 est.)$5.787 billion (FY98/99)2.9% (FY98/99)international- Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; Iran occupies two islands in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE- Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); Iran jointly administers with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island; the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in protesting these Iranian actions; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistandespite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic consumption of narcotics remains a persistent problem and Iranian press reports estimate that there are at least 1.2 million drug users in the countryIraqFormerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq became an independent kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country since then, the latest being SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-1988). In August 1990 Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during January-February 1991. The victors did not occupy Iraq, however, thus allowing the regime to stay in control. 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. UN trade sanctions remain in effect due to incomplete Iraqi compliance with relevant UNSC resolutions.Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait33 00 N, 44 00 EMiddle East437,072 sq km432,162 sq km4,910 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Idahototal- 3,631 kmIran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 242 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 331 km58 kmnot specified12 NMmostly 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 Iraqmostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and TurkeyPersian Gulf 0 mHaji Ibrahim 3,600 mpetroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur12%0%9%0%79% (1993 est.)25,500 sq km (1993 est.)dust storms, sandstorms, floodsgovernment water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Shi a Muslims, who have inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area s wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of Tigris-Euphrates Rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertificationLaw of the Sea, Nuclear Test BanEnvironmental Modification23,331,985 (July 2001 est.) 41.64% (male 4,934,340; female 4,781,206) 55.28% (male 6,528,854; female 6,368,823) 3.08% (male 335,953; female 382,809) (2001 est.)2.84% (2001 est.)34.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)60.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 66.95 years 65.92 years 68.03 years (2001 est.)4.75 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)NANAIraqi(s)IraqiArab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%Muslim 97% (Shi a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian age 15 and over can read and write 58% 70.7% 45% (1995 est.)Republic of IraqIraqAl Jumhuriyah al IraqiyahAl IraqrepublicBaghdad18 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala , Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)Revolution Day, 17 July (1968)22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970 (provisional constitution); new constitution drafted in 1990 but not adoptedbased on Islamic law in special religious courts, civil law system elsewhere; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident SADDAM Husayn (since 16 July 1979); Vice Presidents Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF (since 21 April 1974) and Taha Yasin RAMADAN (since 23 March 1991)Prime Minister SADDAM Husayn (since 29 May 1994); Deputy Prime Ministers Tariq Mikhail AZIZ (since NA 1979), Hikmat Mizban Ibrahim al-AZZAWI (since 30 July 1999), Ahmad Husayn al-KHUDAYIR (since NA July 2001), and Abd al-Tawab Mullah al-HUWAYSH (since NA July 2001)Council of Ministers; note - there is also a Revolutionary Command Council or RCC (Chairman SADDAM Husayn, Vice Chairman Izzat IBRAHIM al-Duri) which controls the ruling Ba th Party, and is the most powerful political entity in the country president and vice presidents elected by a two-thirds majority of the Revolutionary Command Council; election last held 17 October 1995 (next to be held NA 2002) SADDAM Husayn reelected president; percent of vote - 99%; Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF and Taha Yasin RAMADAN elected vice presidents; percent of vote - NA%unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (250 seats; 30 appointed by the president to represent the three northern provinces of Dahuk, Arbil, and As Sulaymaniyah; 220 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) last held 27 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NACourt of CassationBa th Party [SADDAM Husayn, central party leader]any formal political activity must be sanctioned by the government; opposition to regime from Kurdish groups and southern Shi a dissidentsABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, EAPC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO [1] (202) 483-7500; [1] (202) 462-5066 [964] (1) 718-9267; [964] (1) 718-9297three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band Iraq EconomyIraq s economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s, financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and later reschedule foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses of at least $100 billion from the war. After the end of hostilities in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq s seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy, implementation of the UN s oil-for-food program in December 1996 has helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. For the first six, six-month phases of the program, Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999, the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. Oil exports are now more than three-quarters their prewar level. Per capita food imports have increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services are steadily improving. Per capita output and living standards are still well below the prewar level, but any estimates have a wide range of error.purchasing power parity - $57 billion (2000 est.)15% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2000 est.)6%13%81% (1993 est.)NA%NA%NA%100% (2000 est.)4.4 million (1989)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%NA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NApetroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processingNA%29.42 billion kWh (1999)97.96%2.04%0% 0% (1999)27.361 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep$21.8 billion (2000 est.)crude oilRussia, France, Switzerland, China (2000)$13.8 billion (2000 est.)food, medicine, manufacturesEgypt, Russia, France, Vietnam (2000)$139 billion (2000 est.)$327.5 million (1995)Iraqi dinar (IQD)IQDIraqi dinars per US dollar - 0.3109 (fixed official rate since 1982); black market rate - Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 1,910 (December 1999), 1,815 (December 1998), 1,530 (December 1997), 910 (December 1996), 3,000 (December 1995); note - subject to wide fluctuationscalendar year Iraq Communications675,000 (1997)NA; service available in northern Iraq (2001) reconstitution of damaged telecommunication facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have been rebuilt the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperationalAM 19 (5 are inactive), FM 51, shortwave 4 (1998)4.85 million (1997)13 (1997)1.75 million (1997).iq1 (2000)NA2,032 km2,032 km 1.435-m gauge note- rail link between Iraq and Syria restored in 2000 after 19 years45,550 km38,400 km7,150 km (1996 est.)1,015 km note- Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft boats; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf warcrude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural gas 1,360 kmUmm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited functionality30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 453,273 GRT/779,662 DWTcargo 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)110 (2000 est.) 76 20 36 6 7 7 (2000 est.) 34 3 5 4 10 12 (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.)Army, Republican Guard, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border Guard Force, Fedayeen Saddam18 years of agemales age 15-49- 5,902,215 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,301,880 (2001 est.)males- 274,035 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands although the government continues periodic rhetorical challenges; dispute over water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates riversIrelandA failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for the 26 southern counties; the six northern counties (Ulster) remained part of Great Britain. In 1948 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, approved in 1998, was implemented the following year.Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain53 00 N, 8 00 WEurope70,280 sq km68,890 sq km1,390 sq kmslightly larger than West Virginiatotal- 360 kmUK 360 km1,448 kmnot specified exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMtemperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the timemostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coastAtlantic Ocean 0 mCarrauntoohil 1,041 mzinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver13%0%68%5%14% (1993 est.)NA sq kmNAwater pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoffAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservationstrategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 97 km of Dublin3,840,838 (July 2001 est.) 21.57% (male 425,328; female 403,204) 67.08% (male 1,290,002; female 1,286,312) 11.35% (male 188,868; female 247,124) (2001 est.)1.12% (2001 est.)14.57 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.07 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.99 years 74.23 years 79.93 years (2001 est.)1.9 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.1% (1999 est.)2,200 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)IrishCeltic, EnglishRoman Catholic 91.6%, Church of Ireland 2.5%, other 5.9% (1998)English is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard age 15 and over can read and write 98% (1981 est.) NA% NA%noneIrelandrepublicDublin26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty)Saint Patrick s Day, 17 March29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscitebased on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997)Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997)Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 31 October 1997 (next to be held NA November 2004); prime minister nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note- government coalition - Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democratsbicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats - 49 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) Senate - last held NA August 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); House of Representatives - last held 6 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 29, Fine Gael 16, Labor Party 4, Progressive Democrats 4, others 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 76, Fine Gael 53, Labor Party 19, Progressive Democrats 4, Democratic Left 4, Green Alliance 2, Sinn Fein 1, independents 7; note - seats by party in the House of Representatives as of 1 January 2001 were as follows- Fianna Fail 76, Fine Gael 54, Labor Party 21, Progressive Democrats 4, Green Alliance 2, Socialist Party 1, Sinn Fein 1, independents 7Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet)Democratic Left [Proinsias DE ROSSA]; Fianna Fail [Bertie AHERN]; Fine Gael [Michael NOONAN]; Green Party [Mary BOWERS]; Labor Party [Ruairi QUINN]; Progressive Democrats [Mary HARNEY]; Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers Party [Tom FRENCH]NAAustralia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Sean O HUIGINN 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 462-3939 [1] (202) 232-5993 Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Michael J. SULLIVAN 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 use embassy street address [353] (1) 668-7122/668-8777 [353] (1) 668-9946three 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 Ireland EconomyIreland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging a robust 9% in 1995-2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP and about 80% of exports and employs 28% of the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland s robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in consumer spending and recovery in both construction and business investment. Over the past decade, the Irish government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb inflation, reduce government spending, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in launching the euro currency system in January 1999 along with 10 other EU nations. The Irish economy is in danger of overheating, with the tight labor market driving up wage demands and inflation.purchasing power parity - $81.9 billion (2000 est.)9.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $21,600 (2000 est.)4%38%58% (1999)10% (1997 est.)2%27.3% (1997)5.6% (2000)1.82 million (2000 est.)services 64%, industry 28%, agriculture 8% (2000 est.)4.1% (2000)$25.7 billion$19.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $2 billion (2000)food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal; software14% (2000 est.)19.542 billion kWh (1999)94.42%4.23%0% 1.35% (1999)18.414 billion kWh (1999)50 million kWh (1999)290 million kWh (1999)turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products$73.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal productsEU 59% (UK 19%, Germany 9%, France 7%), US 20% (2000)$45.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals; petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothingEU 54% (UK 29%, Germany 6%, France 5%), US 18%, Japan 5%, Singapore 4% (2000)$11 billion (1998) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $245 million (2000)Irish pound (IEP); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Ireland at a fixed rate of 0.787564 Irish pounds per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002IEP; EURIrish pounds per US dollar - 1.0658 (January 2001), 1.0823 (2000), 0.9374 (1999), 0.7014 (1998), 0.6588 (1997), 0.6248 (1996)calendar year Ireland Communications1.59 million (2001)2 million (2001) modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay microwave radio relay satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998)2.55 million (1997)4 (many low-power repeaters) (2001)1.82 million (2001).ie22 (2000)1 million (2001)1,947 km broad gauge- 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (38 km electrified; 485 km double track) (1998)92,500 km87,043 km (including 115 km of expressways)5,457 km (1999 est.)700 km (limited facilities for commercial traffic) (1998)natural gas 7,592 km (transmission 1,158 km; distribution 6,434 km) (2000)Arklow, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Foynes, Galway, Limerick, New Ross, Waterford29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 115,554 GRT/135,391 DWTbulk 4, cargo 22, container 2, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)44 (2000 est.) 17 1 1 3 5 7 (2000 est.) 27 2 25 (2000 est.)Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police (Garda Siochana)17 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,004,469 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 809,808 (2001 est.)males- 32,287 (2001 est.)$738 million (2001 est.)0.75% (2001 est.)international- Northern Ireland issue with the UK (historic peace agreement signed 10 April 1998); disputes with Iceland, Denmark, and the UK over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NMtransshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western EuropeIsraelFollowing 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 occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations are being conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip) and Israel and Syria, to achieve a permanent settlement. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. On 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982.Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon31 30 N, 34 45 EMiddle East20,770 sq km20,330 sq km440 sq kmslightly smaller than New Jerseytotal- 1,006 kmEgypt 255 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km273 kmto depth of exploitation12 NMtemperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areasNegev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift ValleyDead Sea -408 mHar Meron 1,208 mtimber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand, oil17%4%7%6%66% (1993 est.)1,800 sq km (1993 est.)sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughtslimited 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 pesticidesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservationthere are 231 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 2000 est.)5,938,093 (July 2001 est.) note- includes about 176,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, about 6,900 in the Gaza Strip, and about 173,000 in East Jerusalem (August 2000 est.) 27.36% (male 831,523; female 792,982) 62.73% (male 1,869,114; female 1,855,707) 9.91% (male 253,105; female 335,662) (2001 est.)1.58% (2001 est.)19.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)7.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.71 years 76.69 years 80.84 years (2001 est.)2.57 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.08% (1999 est.)2,400 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Israeli(s)IsraeliJewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab) (1996 est.)Jewish 80.1%, Muslim 14.6% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2.1%, other 3.2% (1996 est.)Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language age 15 and over can read and write 95% 97% 93% (1992 est.)State of IsraelIsraelMedinat Yisra elYisra elparliamentary democracyJerusalem; note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)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 Mayno 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 lawmixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Moshe KATSAV (since 31 July 2000)Prime Minister Ariel SHARON (since 2 March 2001)Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset president elected by the Knesset for a five-year term; election last held 31 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2005); prime minister elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 6 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005); note - in March 1992, the Knesset approved legislation, effective in 1996, which allowed for the direct election of the prime minister, but in 2001 the Knesset voted to restore the previous method under which the legislators will choose the next prime minister after the next legislative elections in 2003 Moshe KATSAV elected president by the 120-member Knesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES, received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARON elected prime minister; percent of vote - Ariel SHARON 62.5%, Ehud BARAK 37.4%; note - after the next legislative elections scheduled for 2003, the prime minister will be elected by the Knessetunicameral Knesset or parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) percent of vote by party - One Israel 20.2%, Likud Party 14.1%, Shas 13%, MERETZ 7.6%, Yisra el Ba Aliya 5.1%, Shinui 5%, Center Party 5%, National Religious Party 4.2%, United Torah Judaism 3.7%, United Arab List 3.4%, National Union 3%, Hadash 2.6%, Yisra el Beiteinu 2.6%, Balad 1.9%, One Nation 1.9%, Democratic Movement NA (party formed after election, members elected under Yisra el Ba Aliya list); seats by party - One Israel 26, Likud Party 19, Shas 17, MERETZ 10, Yisra el Ba Aliya 4, Shinui 6, Center Party 6, National Religious Party 5, United Torah Judaism 5, United Arab List 5, National Union 4, Hadash 3, Yisra el Beiteinu 4, Democratic Movement 2 (party formed after election, members elected under Yisra el Ba Aliya list), Balad 2, One Nation 2Supreme Court (justices appointed for life by the president)Balad or National Democratic Alliance [Amnon LIPKIN-SHAHAK]; Center Party [Yitzhak MORDECHAI]; Democratic Movement [Roman BRONFMAN]; Gesher [David LEVI]; Hadash [Muhammad BARAKA]; Labor Party [leader vacant]; Likud Party [Ariel SHARON]; MERETZ [Yossi SARID]; National Democratic Alliance (Balad) [leader NA]; National Religious Party [Yitzhak LEVY]; National Union [Rehavam ZEEVI] (includes Herut, Tekuma, and Moledet); One Israel [leader NA] (includes Labor, Gesher, and Meimad); One Nation [Amir PERETZ]; Shas [Eliyahu YISHAI]; Shinui [Tommy LAPID]; United Arab List [Abd al-Malik DAHAMSHAH]; United Torah Judaism [Rabbi Eliezer SHACK, spiritual leader]; Yisra el Ba Aliya [Natan SHARANSKY]; Yisra el Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]Gush Emunim, Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and is critical of government s Lebanon policyBSEC (observer), CCC, CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador David IVRY 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 364-5500 [1] (202) 364-5607 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Ambassador Martin S. INDYK 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv PSC 98, Unit 7228, APO AE 09830 [972] (3) 519-7575 [972] (3) 517-3227 Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign governmentwhite with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag Israel EconomyIsrael has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel is largely self-sufficient in food production except for grains. Cuts diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government s external debt is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and military aid. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR topped 750,000 during the period 1989-99, bringing the population of Israel from the former Soviet Union to 1 million, one-sixth of the total population, and adding scientific and professional expertise of substantial value for the economy s future. The influx, coupled with the opening of new markets at the end of the Cold War, energized Israel s economy, which grew rapidly in the early 1990s. But growth began moderating in 1996 when the government imposed tighter fiscal and monetary policies and the immigration bonus petered out. Growth was a strong 5.9% in 2000. But the outbreak of Palestinian unrest in late September and the collapse of the BARAK Government - coupled with a cooling off in the high-technology and tourist sectors - undercut the boom and foreshadows a slowdown to 2%-3% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $110.2 billion (2000 est.)5.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $18,900 (2000 est.)4%37%59% (1999 est.)NA%2.8%26.9% (1992)0.1% (2000 est.)2.4 million (2000 est.)public services 31.2%, manufacturing 20.2%, finance and business 13.1%, commerce 12.8%, construction 7.5%, personal and other services 6.4%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6% (1996)9% (2000 est.)$40 billion$42.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, diamond cutting7% (2000)35.437 billion kWh (1999)99.89%0.11%0% 0% (1999)31.899 billion kWh (1999)1.061 billion kWh (1999)4 million kWh (1999)citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products$31.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparelUS 36%, UK 6%, Benelux 5%, Hong Kong 4%, Netherlands 4% (1999)$35.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, consumer goodsUS 20%, Benelux 11%, Germany 8%, UK 8%, Switzerland 6%, Italy 5% (1999)$38 billion (2000 est.)$1.1 billion from the US (1999)new Israeli shekel (ILS)ILSnew Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.0810 (December 2000), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997), 3.1917 (1996)calendar year Israel Communications2.8 million (1999)2.5 million (1999) most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998)3.07 million (1997)17 (plus 36 low-power repeaters) (1995)1.69 million (1997).il21 (2000)1 million (2000)610 km610 km 1.435-m gauge (1996)15,965 km15,965 km (including 56 km of expressways)0 km (1998 est.)nonecrude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 kmAshdod, Ashqelon, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Yafo17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 631,582 GRT/745,011 DWTcontainer 16, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)55 (2000 est.) 30 2 4 7 10 7 (2000 est.) 25 1 4 20 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Israel Defense Forces (includes ground, naval, and air components), Pioneer Fighting Youth (Nahal), Frontier Guard, Chen (women); note - historically there have been no separate Israeli military services18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,522,003 females age 15-49- 1,482,027 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,245,757 females age 15-49- 1,208,973 (2001 est.)males- 49,206 females- 53,379 (2001 est.)$8.7 billion (FY99)9.4% (FY99)international- West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab a Farms area of Golan Heights)increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and increasingly JordanItalyItaly became a nation-state belatedly - in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous 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 European Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, the ravages of organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the more prosperous north.Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia42 50 N, 12 50 EEurope301,230 sq km294,020 sq km7,210 sq km note- includes Sardinia and Sicilyslightly larger than Arizonatotal- 1,932.2 kmAustria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km7,600 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation12 NMpredominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in southmostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlandsMediterranean Sea 0 mMont Blanc (Monte Bianco) 4,807 mmercury, potash, marble, sulfur, natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal, arable land31%10%15%23%21% (1993 est.)27,100 sq km (1993 est.)regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Veniceair 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 facilitiesAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe57,679,825 (July 2001 est.) 14.17% (male 4,209,102; female 3,964,765) 67.48% (male 19,375,742; female 19,546,332) 18.35% (male 4,368,264; female 6,215,620) (2001 est.)0.07% (2001 est.)9.05 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.14 years 75.97 years 82.52 years (2001 est.)1.18 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.35% (1999 est.)95,000 (1999 est.)1,000 (1999 est.)Italian(s)ItalianItalian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant communityItalian (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) age 15 and over can read and write 98% (1998) NA% NA%Italian RepublicItalyRepubblica ItalianaItaliaKingdom of ItalyrepublicRome20 regions (regioni, singular - regione); Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d Aosta, Veneto17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870)Republic Day, 2 June (1946)1 January 1948based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25)President Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (since 13 May 1999)Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the president of the Council of Ministers) Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 10 June 2001)Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a seven-year term; election last held 13 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2006); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 70% note- a 12-party government coalition; note - BERLUSCONI s coalition includes Forza Italian, National Alliance, Christian Democratic Center, Christian Northern Leaguebicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats elected by popular vote of which 232 are directly elected and 83 are elected by regional proportional representation plus, in addition, there are a small number of senators-for-life including former presidents of the republic; members serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; 475 are directly elected, 155 by regional proportional representation; members serve five-year terms) Senate - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - House of Liberties 177 (Forza Italia 82, National Alliance 46, CCD-CDU 29, Northern League 17, others 3), Olive Tree 128 (Democrats of the Left 62, Daisy Alliance 42, Sunflower Alliance 16, Italian Communist Party 3, independents 5), non-affiliated with either coalition 10, senators for life 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - House of Liberties 367 (Forza Italia 189, National Alliance 96, CCD-CDU 40, Northern League 30, others 12), Olive Tree 248 (Democrats of the Left 138, Daisy Alliance 76, Sunflower Alliance 18, Italian Communist Party 9, independents 7), non-affiliated with either coalition 15Constitutional 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)Center-Left Olive Tree Coalition [Francesco RUTELLI] - Democrats of the Left, Daisy Alliance (including Italian Popular Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The Democrats), Sunflower Alliance (including Green Federation, Italian Democratic Socialists), Italian Communist Party; Christian Democratic Center or CDC [Pier Ferdinando CASINI]; Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Rocco BUTTIGLIONE]; Communist Renewal or RC [Fausto BERTINOTTI]; Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; Green Federation [Grazia FRANCESCATO]; House of Liberties (formerly Freedom Alliance, a center-right coalition) [leader Silvio BERLUSCONI] - Forza Italian, National Alliance, Christian Democratic Center, Christian Democratic Union, Northern League; Italian Communist Party or PdCI [Oliviero DILIBERTO]; Italian Democratic Socialists [Enrico BOSELLI]; Italian Popular Party [Pierluigi CASTAGNETTI]; Italian Renewal [Lamberto DINI]; Italian Social Movement-Tricolored Flame or MSI-FI [Pino RAUTI]; National Alliance or AN [Gianfranco FINI]; Northern League or NL [Umberto BOSSI]; Radical Party (formerly Panella Reformers and Autonomous List) [Marco PANNELLA]; Southern Tyrols People s Party or SVP (German speakers) [Siegfried BRUGGER]; Union of Democrats for Europe [Clemente MASTELLA]; The Democrats [Arturo PARISI]Italian manufacturers and merchants associations (Confindustria, Confcommercio); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Sergio COFFERATI] which is left wing, Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Sergio D ANTONI] which is Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Pietro LARIZZA] which is lay centrist)AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Ferdinando SALLEO 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 612-4400 [1] (202) 518-2154 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco consulate(s)- Detroit Ambassador (vacant) Via Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 [39] (06) 46741 [39] (06) 488-2672 Florence, Milan, Naplesthree 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 note- inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797 Italy EconomyItaly has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less developed agricultural south, with more than 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Since 1992, Italy has adopted budgets compliant with the requirements of the European Monetary Union (EMU); wage moderation agreements by representatives of government, labor, and employers have helped to bring Italy s inflation into conformity with EMU requirements. Italy s economic performance, however, has lagged behind that of its EU partners and it must work to stimulate employment, promote labor flexibility, reform its expensive pension system, and tackle the informal economy.purchasing power parity - $1.273 trillion (2000 est.)2.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $22,100 (2000 est.)2.5%30.4%67.1% (2000 est.)NA%3.5%21.8% (1995)2.5% (2000)23.4 million (2000)services 61.9%, industry 32.6%, agriculture 5.5% (1999)10.4% (2000 est.)$488 billion$501 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics1.9% (2000)247.679 billion kWh (1999)79.09%18.08%0% 2.83% (1999)272.35 billion kWh (1999)530 million kWh (1999)42.539 billion kWh (1999)fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish$241.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; minerals and nonferrous metalsEU 56.8% (Germany 16.4%, France 12.9%, Netherlands 7.1%, Spain 6.3%, Netherlands 2.9%), US 9.5% (1999)$231.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages and tobaccoEU 61% (Germany 19.3%, France 12.6%, Netherlands 6.3%, Spain 4.4%), US 5.0% (1999)$NA Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.3 billion (1997)Italian lira (ITL); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Italy at a fixed rate of 1,936.27 Italian lire per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002ITL; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Italian lire per US dollar - 1,688.7 (January 1999), 1,736.2 (1998), 1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996)calendar year Italy Communications25 million (1999)20.5 million (1999) modern, well developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks 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; 21 submarine cablesAM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998)50.5 million (1997)358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995)30.3 million (1997).it93 (Italy and Holy See) (2000)11.6 million (2000)19,394 km18,071 km 1.435-m gauge; Italian Railways (FS) operates 16,014 km of the total standard gauge routes (11,322 km electrified)112 km 1.000-m gauge (112 km electrified); 1,211 km 0.950-m gauge (153 km electrified) (1998)654,676 km654,676 km (including 6460 km of expressways)0 km (1997)2,400 km note- for various types of commercial traffic, although of limited overall valuecrude oil 1,703 km; petroleum products 2,148 km; natural gas 19,400 kmAugusta (Sicily), Bagnoli, Bari, Brindisi, Gela, Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Milazzo, Naples, Porto Foxi, Porto Torres (Sardinia), Salerno, Savona, Taranto, Trieste, Venice (2001)445 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,005,136 GRT/10,556,244 DWTbulk 44, cargo 41, chemical tanker 77, combination ore/oil 4, container 24, liquefied gas 38, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 11, petroleum tanker 85, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 64, short-sea passenger 26, specialized tanker 14, vehicle carrier 15 (2000 est.)135 (2000 est.) 97 5 32 17 31 12 (2000 est.) 38 2 18 18 (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri18 years of agemales age 15-49- 14,248,674 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 12,244,166 (2001 est.)males- 304,369 (2001 est.)$20.7 billion (FY00/01)1.7% (FY00/01)international- Croatia and Italy made progress toward resolving a bilateral issue dating from World War II over property and ethnic minority rightsimportant gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European marketJamaicaJamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a dropoff in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Subsequent governments have been open market oriented. Political violence marred elections during the 1990s.Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba18 15 N, 77 30 WCentral America and the Caribbean10,990 sq km10,830 sq km160 sq kmslightly smaller than Connecticut0 km1,022 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid; temperate interiormostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plainCaribbean Sea 0 mBlue Mountain Peak 2,256 mbauxite, gypsum, limestone14%6%24%17%39% (1993 est.)350 sq km (1993 est.)hurricanes (especially July to November)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 emissionsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsstrategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for Panama Canal2,665,636 (July 2001 est.) 29.7% (male 405,189; female 386,555) 63.52% (male 845,226; female 847,944) 6.78% (male 80,667; female 100,055) (2001 est.)0.51% (2001 est.)18.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.48 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-7.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.42 years 73.45 years 77.49 years (2001 est.)2.08 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.71% (1999 est.)9,900 (1999 est.)650 (1999 est.)Jamaican(s)Jamaicanblack 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah s Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other, including some spiritual cults 34.7%English, Creole age 15 and over has ever attended school 85% 80.8% 89.1% (1995 est.)noneJamaicaconstitutional parliamentary democracyKingston14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland6 August 1962 (from UK)Independence Day, first Monday in August (1962)6 August 1962based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1 August 1991)Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Seymour MULLINGS (since NA 1993)Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor generalbicameral 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 eight seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 18 December 1997 (next to be held by March 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 50, JLP 10Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of AppealJamaica Labor Party or JLP [Edward SEAGA]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Bruce GOLDING]; People s National Party or PNP [Percival James PATTERSON]New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Richard Leighton BERNAL 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 452-0660 [1] (202) 452-0081 Miami and New York Ambassador Stanley Louis MCLELLAND Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor, Kingston 5 use embassy street address [1] (876) 929-4850 through 4859 [1] (876) 926-6743diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side) Jamaica EconomyKey sectors in this island economy are bauxite (alumina and bauxite account for more than half of exports) and tourism. Since assuming office in 1992, Prime Minister PATTERSON has eliminated most price controls, streamlined tax schedules, and privatized government enterprises. Continued tight monetary and fiscal policies have helped slow inflation - although inflationary pressures are mounting - and stabilize the exchange rate, but have resulted in the slowdown of economic growth (moving from 1.5% in 1992 to 0.5% in 1995). In 1996, GDP showed negative growth (-1.4%) and remained negative through 1999. Serious problems include- high interest rates; increased foreign competition; the weak financial condition of business in general resulting in receiverships or closures and downsizings of companies; the shift in investment portfolios to non-productive, short-term high yield instruments; a pressured, sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a widening merchandise trade deficit; and a growing internal debt for government bailouts to various ailing sectors of the economy, particularly the financial sector. Depressed economic conditions in 1999-2000 led to increased civil unrest, including a mounting crime rate. Jamaica s medium-term prospects will depend upon encouraging investment in the productive sectors, maintaining a competitive exchange rate, stabilizing the labor environment, selling off reacquired firms, and implementing proper fiscal and monetary policies.purchasing power parity - $9.7 billion (2000 est.)0.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2000 est.)7.4%35.2%57.4% (1999 est.)34.2% (1992 est.)2.9%28.9% (1996)8.8% (2000 est.)1.13 million (1998)services 60%, agriculture 21%, industry 19% (1998)16% (2000 est.)$2.23 billion$2.56 billion, including capital expenditures of $232.5 million (FY99/00 est.)tourism, bauxite, textiles, food processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products-2% (2000 est.)6.53 billion kWh (1999)92.28%1.36%0% 6.36% (1999)6.073 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk$1.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)alumina, bauxite; sugar, bananas, rumUS 35.7%, EU (excluding UK) 15.8%, UK 13%, Canada 10.5% (1999)$3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, fuel, food, chemicals, fertilizersUS 47.8%, Caricom countries 12.4%, Latin America 7.2%, EU (excluding UK) 4.7% (1999)$4.7 billion (2000 est.)$102.7 million (1995)Jamaican dollar (JMD)JMDJamaican dollars per US dollar - 45.557 (January 2001), 42.701 (2000), 39.044 (1999), 36.550 (1998), 35.404 (1997), 37.120 (1996)1 April - 31 March Jamaica Communications353,000 (1996)54,640 (1996) fully automatic domestic telephone network NA satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cablesAM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)1.215 million (1997)7 (1997)460,000 (1997).jm21 (2000)60,000 (2000)370 km370 km 1.435-m gauge; note - 207 km belong to the Jamaica Railway Corporation in common carrier service, but are no longer operational; the remaining track is privately owned and used to transport bauxite19,000 km13,433 km5,567 km (1997)nonepetroleum products 10 kmAlligator Pond, Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Rocky Point, Port Esquivel (Longswharf)1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,930 GRT/3,065 DWTpetroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)35 (2000 est.) 11 2 1 3 5 (2000 est.) 24 2 22 (2000 est.)Jamaica Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 736,627 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 517,077 (2001 est.)males- 27,729 (2001 est.)$30 million (FY95/96 est.)NA%international- nonemajor transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concernJan MayenThis desolate, 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 Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth.Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland71 00 N, 8 00 WArctic Region373 sq km373 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC0 km124.1 km10 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM4 NMarctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fogvolcanic island, partly covered by glaciersNorwegian Sea 0 mHaakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 mnone0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1993)dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970NAbarren volcanic island with some moss and grassno indigenous inhabitants note- there are personnel who operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2001 est.)noneJan Mayenterritory of Norway; administered from Oslo through a governor (sysselmann) resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard); however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Servicethe laws of Norway, where applicable, applythe flag of Norway is used Jan Mayen EconomyJan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway s radio and meteorological stations located on the island. Jan Mayen CommunicationsAM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note- there is one radio and meteorological station (1998)13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000)nonenone; offshore anchorage only1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Norwayinternational- noneJapanWhile retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become the second most powerful economy in the world and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth.Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula36 00 N, 138 00 EAsia377,835 sq km374,744 sq km3,091 sq km note- includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)slightly smaller than California0 km29,751 km24 NM200 NM12 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 Straitvaries from tropical in south to cool temperate in northmostly rugged and mountainousHachiro-gata -4 mFujiyama 3,776 mnegligible mineral resources, fish11%1%2%67%19% (1993 est.)27,820 sq km (1993 est.)many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoonsair 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 elsewhereAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic location in northeast Asia126,771,662 (July 2001 est.) 14.64% (male 9,510,296; female 9,043,074) 67.83% (male 43,202,513; female 42,790,187) 17.53% (male 9,351,340; female 12,874,252) (2001 est.)0.17% (2001 est.)10.04 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.34 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)3.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 80.8 years 77.62 years 84.15 years (2001 est.)1.41 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)10,000 (1999 est.)150 (1999 est.)Japanese (singular and plural)JapaneseJapanese 99.4%, Korean 0.6% (1999)observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)Japanese age 15 and over can read and write 99% (1970 est.) NA% NA%noneJapanconstitutional monarchy with a parliamentary governmentTokyo47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu)Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)3 May 1947modeled after European civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations20 years of age; universalEmperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)Prime Minister Junichiro KOIZUMI (since 24 April 2001)Cabinet appointed by the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; the Diet designates the prime minister; the constitution requires that the prime minister must command a parliamentary majority, therefore, following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister note- following the resignation of Prime Minister Yoshiro MORI, Junichiro KOIZUMI was elected as the new president of the majority Liberal Democratic Party, and soon thereafter designated by the Diet to become the next prime ministerbicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (252 seats; one-half of the members elected every three years - 76 seats of which are elected from the 47 multi-seat prefectural districts and 50 of which are elected from a single nationwide list; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - 180 of which are elected from 11 regional blocks on a proportional representation basis and 300 of which are elected from 300 single-seat districts; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) House of Councillors - last held 12 July 1998 (next to be held NA July 2001); House of Representatives - last held 25 June 2000 (next to be held by June 2004) House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LDP 102, DPJ 47, JCP 23, Komeito 22, SDP 13, Liberal Party 12, independents 26, others 7; note - the distribution of seats as of February 2001 is as follows - LDP 112, DPJ 58, Komeito 24, JCP 23, SDP 13, Liberal Party 5, independents 7, others 10; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LDP 233, DPJ 127, Komeito 31, Liberal Party 22, JCP 20, SDP 19, other 28; note - the distribution of seats as of February 2001 is as follows - LDP 239, DPJ 129, Komeito 31, Liberal Party 22, JCP 20, SDP 19, other 20Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet)Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Yukio HATOYAMA, leader, Naoto KAN, secretary general]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII, chairman, Tadaaki ICHIDA, secretary general]; Komeito [Takenori KANZAKI, president, Tetsuzo FUYUSHIBA, secretary general]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Junichiro KOIZUMI, president, Taku YAMASAKI, secretary general]; Liberal Party [Ichiro OZAWA, president, Hirohisa FUJII, secretary general]; New Conservative Party [Chikage OGI, president, Takeshi NODA, secretary general]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Takako DOI, chairperson, Sadao FUCHIGAMI, secretary general]NAAfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Shunji YANAI 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 238-6700 [1] (202) 328-2187 Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Seattle consulate(s)- Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) Ambassador-designate Howard H. BAKER, Jr. 10-5 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 Unit 45004, Box 205, APO AP 96337-5004 [81] (03) 3224-5000 [81] (03) 3224-5856 Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s)- Fukuoka, Nagoyawhite with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Japan EconomyGovernment-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) have helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US and third largest economy in the world after the US and China. One notable characteristic of the economy is the working together of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding. Industry, the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. The much smaller agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self-sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one of the world s largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. 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 largely because of the aftereffects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. Government efforts to revive economic growth have met little success and were further hampered in late 2000 by the slowing of the US and Asian economies. The crowding of habitable land area and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Robotics constitutes a key long-term economic strength, with Japan possessing 410,000 of the world s 720,000 "working robots".purchasing power parity - $3.15 trillion (2000 est.)1.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $24,900 (2000 est.)2%35%63% (1999 est.)NA%4.8%21.7% (1993)-0.7% (2000 est.)67.7 million (December 2000)services 65%, industry 30%, agriculture 5%4.7% (2000)$441 billion$718 billion, including capital expenditures (public works only) of about $84 billion (FY01/02 est.)among world s largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals; textiles, processed foods5.3% (2000 est.)1.018 trillion kWh (1999)58.91%8.35%30.31% 2.43% (1999)947.038 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish$450 billion (f.o.b., 2000)motor vehicles, semiconductors, office machinery, chemicalsUS 30%, Taiwan 7%, South Korea 6.4%, China 6.2%, Hong Kong 5.6% (2000 est.)$355 billion (c.i.f., 2000)fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, office machineryUS 19%, China 14.5%, South Korea 5.4%, Taiwan 4.8%, Indonesia 4.3%, Australia 3.9% (2000 est.)$NA Economic aid - donor- ODA, $9.1 billion (1999)yen (JPY)JPYyen per US dollar - 117.10 (January 2001), 107.77 (2000), 113.91 (1999), 130.91 (1998), 120.99 (1997), 108.78 (1996)1 April - 31 March Japan Communications60.381 million (1997)63.88 million (2000) excellent domestic and international service high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind 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); submarine cables to China, Philippines, Russia, and US (via Guam) (1999)AM 190, FM 88, shortwave 24 (1999)120.5 million (1997)7,108 (plus 441 repeaters; note - in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services) (1999)86.5 million (1997).jp73 (2000)27.06 million (2000)23,670.7 km2,893.1 km 1.435-m gauge (entirely electrified)89.8 km 1.372-m gauge (89.8 km electrified); 20,656.8 km 1.067-m gauge (10,383.6 km electrified); 31 km 0.762-m gauge (3.6 km electrified) (1994)1,152,207 km863,003 km (including 6,114 km of expressways)289,204 km (1997 est.)1,770 km approximately note- seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seascrude oil 84 km; petroleum products 322 km; natural gas 1,800 kmAkita, Amagasaki, Chiba, Hachinohe, Hakodate, Higashi-Harima, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kawasaki, Kinuura, Kobe, Kushiro, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Sakai, Sakaide, Shimizu, Tokyo, Tomakomai630 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,691,174 GRT/15,484,848 DWTbulk 137, cargo 51, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 22, combination ore/oil 3, container 22, liquefied gas 49, passenger 9, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 194, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 49, short-sea passenger 6, vehicle carrier 56 (2000 est.)173 (2000 est.) 142 8 36 38 30 30 (2000 est.) 31 4 27 (2000 est.)16 (2000 est.)Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 29,926,614 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 25,876,484 (2001 est.)males- 765,817 (2001 est.)$43 billion (FY01)0.96% (FY01)international- islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima/Tokdo) disputed with South Korea; Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands) claimed by China and TaiwanJarvis IslandFirst discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, the island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to the Cook Islands0 22 S, 160 03 WOceania4.5 sq km4.5 sq km0 sq kmabout eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km8 km200 NM12 NMtropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunsandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reefPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 7 mguano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1998)the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazardno natural fresh water resourcessparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlifeuninhabited note- Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2001 est.)noneJarvis Islandunincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge systemthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Jarvis Island Economyno economic activitynonenone; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island Transportation - note- there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guardinternational- noneJerseyThe island of 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.Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France49 15 N, 2 10 WEurope116 sq km116 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC0 km70 kmexclusive fishing zone- 12 NM3 NMtemperate; mild winters and cool summersgently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coastAtlantic Ocean 0 munnamed location 143 marable land66%0%0%0%34%NA sq kmNANAlargest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier89,361 (July 2001 est.) 17.77% (male 8,214; female 7,667) 67.59% (male 30,065; female 30,331) 14.64% (male 5,603; female 7,481) (2001 est.)0.48% (2001 est.)11.28 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.27 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.63 years 76.21 years 81.23 years (2001 est.)1.56 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAChannel Islander(s)Channel IslanderUK and Norman-French descentAnglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, PresbyterianEnglish (official), French (official), Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts NA NA NA NABailiwick of JerseyJerseyBritish crown dependencyNASaint Heliernone (British crown dependency)none (British crown dependency)Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practiceEnglish law and local statuteNA years of age; universal adultexclusive fishing zone- 12 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995)committees appointed by the Assembly of the States none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarchunicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12 senators, 12 constables or heads of parishes, 29 deputies; all elected for six-year terms, half elected every third year; the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and 3 non-voting members - the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General and the Solicitor General all appointed by the monarch last held NA (next to be held NA) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 52Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)none; all independentsnonewhite with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag and in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield holding the three lions of England in yellow Jersey EconomyThe economy is based largely on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. In 1996 the finance sector accounted for about 60% of the island s output. Tourism, another mainstay of the economy, accounts for 24% of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey s food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven.purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (1999 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $24,800 (1999 est.)5%2%93% (1996)NA%NA%NA%4.7% (1998)57,050 (1996)0.7% (1998 est.)$601 million$588 million, including capital expenditures of $98 million (2000 est.)tourism, banking and finance, dairyNA%NA kWh note- electricity supplied by Francepotatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products$NAlight industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textilesUK$NAmachinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicalsUKnonenoneBritish pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey poundGBPJersey pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound1 April - 31 March Jersey Communications65,500 (1997)4,400 (1997) NA NA 3 submarine cablesAM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)NA1 (1997)NA.jeNANA Railways- 0 km577 km (1995)NA kmNA kmnoneGorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- noneJohnston AtollBoth the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete, and cleanup and closure of the facility is progressing.Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 NM (1328 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands16 45 N, 169 31 WOceania2.8 sq km2.8 sq km0 sq kmabout 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km10 km200 NM12 NMtropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variationmostly flatPacific Ocean 0 mSummit Peak 5 mguano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1998)NAno natural fresh water resourcesstrategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; former US nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetationno indigenous inhabitants note- in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel present; as of 1 October 2000, population decreased to approximately 970 when US Army Chemical Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed (January 2001 est.)-5.94% (2001 est.)noneJohnston Atollunincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge systemthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Johnston Atoll EconomyEconomic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.approximately 1,000,000 kWh weekly; note - there are six 25,000 kWh generators supplied by the base operating support contractor (1999)NA kWh Johnston Atoll Communications 13 outgoing and 10 incoming commercial lines; adequate telecommunications 60-channel submarine cable, 22 DSN circuits by satellite, Autodin with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satellite NAAM NA, FM NA, shortwave NAcommercial satellite television system, with 16 channels (1997)NAnoneJohnston Island1; note - six flights per week; three commercial, three military (2001 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- none Introduction Background- Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete, and cleanup and closure of the facility is progressing. Johnston Atoll Geography Location- Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 NM (1328 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Geographic coordinates- 16 45 N, 169 31 W Map references- Oceania Area- total- 2.8 sq km land- 2.8 sq km water- 0 sq km Area - comparative- about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries- 0 km Coastline- 10 km Maritime claims- exclusive economic zone- 200 NM territorial sea- 12 NM Climate- tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Terrain- mostly flat Elevation extremes- lowest point- Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point- Summit Peak 5 m Natural resources- guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use- arable land- 0% permanent crops- 0% permanent pastures- 0% forests and woodland- 0% other- 100% Irrigated land- 0 sq km (1998) Natural hazards- NA Environment - current issues- no natural fresh water resources Geography - note- strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; former US nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation Johnston Atoll People Population- no indigenous inhabitants note- in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel present; as of 1 October 2000, population decreased to approximately 970 when US Army Chemical Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed (January 2001 est.) Population growth rate- -5.94% (2001 est.) Johnston Atoll Government Country name- conventional long form- none conventional short form- Johnston Atoll Dependency status- unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Legal system- the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Flag description- the flag of the US is used Johnston Atoll Economy Economy - overview- Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity - production- approximately 1,000,000 kWh weekly; note - there are six 25,000 kWh generators supplied by the base operating support contractor (1999) Electricity - consumption- NA kWh Johnston Atoll Communications Telephone system- general assessment- 13 outgoing and 10 incoming commercial lines; adequate telecommunications domestic- 60-channel submarine cable, 22 DSN circuits by satellite, Autodin with standard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to the Pacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satellite international- NA Radio broadcast stations- AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA Television broadcast stations- commercial satellite television system, with 16 channels (1997) Internet Service Providers (ISPs)- NA Johnston Atoll Transportation Waterways- none Ports and harbors- Johnston Island Airports- 1; note - six flights per week; three commercial, three military (2001 est.) Airports - with paved runways- total- 1 2,438 to 3,047 m- 1 (2000 est.) Johnston Atoll Military Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the US Johnston Atoll Transnational Issues Disputes - international- noneJordanFor most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-1999). A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, through several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he resumed parliamentary elections and gradually permitted political liberalization; in 1994 a formal peace treaty was signed with Israel. King ABDALLAH II - the eldest son of King HUSSEIN and Princess MUNA - assumed the throne following his father s death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and established his domestic priorities.Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia31 00 N, 36 00 EMiddle East92,300 sq km91,971 sq km329 sq kmslightly smaller than Indianatotal- 1,619 kmIraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 728 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km26 km3 NMmostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan RiverDead Sea -408 mJabal Ram 1,734 mphosphates, potash, shale oil4%1%9%1%85% (1993 est.)630 sq km (1993 est.)droughtslimited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements5,153,378 (July 2001 est.) 37.23% (male 980,345; female 938,081) 59.44% (male 1,633,579; female 1,429,631) 3.33% (male 84,815; female 86,927) (2001 est.)3% (2001 est.)25.44 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.62 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)20.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.53 years 75.1 years 80.12 years (2001 est.)3.29 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)NANAJordanian(s)JordanianArab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shi a Muslim and Druze populations) (2000 est.)Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes age 15 and over can read and write 86.6% 93.4% 79.4% (1995 est.)Hashemite Kingdom of JordanJordanAl Mamlakah al Urduniyah al HashimiyahAl UrdunTransjordanconstitutional monarchyAmman12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al Aqabah, Al Balqa , Al Karak, Al Mafraq, Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa , Irbid, Jarash, Ma an, Madaba25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)Independence Day, 25 May (1946)8 January 1952based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction20 years of age; universalKing ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HAMZAH (half brother of the monarch, born 29 March 1980)Prime Minister Ali Abul RAGHEB (since 19 June 2000)Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarchbicameral National Assembly or Majlis al- Umma consists of the Senate (a 40-member body appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (80 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 4 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2001) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - National Constitutional Party 2, Arab Land Party 1, independents 75, other 2 note- the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989 the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were heldCourt of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal)Al-Umma (Nation) Party [Ahmad al-HANANDEH, secretary general]; Arab Land Party [Dr. Muhammad al- ORAN, secretary general]; Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa eed THIYAB, secretary general]; National Constitutional Party [Abdul Hadi MAJALI, secretary general]Council of Professional Association Presidents [Ahmad al-QADIRI, chairman]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim Brotherhood [Abd-al-Majid DHUNAYBAT, secretary general]ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Marwan Jamil MUASHER 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 966-2664 [1] (202) 966-3110 Ambassador William J. BURNS Abdoum, Amman P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; APO AE 09892-0200 [962] (6) 5920101 [962] (6) 5920121three equal horizontal bands of black (top, the Abbassid Caliphate of Islam), white (the Ummayyad Caliphate of Islam), and green (the Fatimid Caliphate of Islam) with a red isosceles triangle (representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916) based on the hoist side 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 Jordan EconomyJordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil. The Persian Gulf crisis, which began in August 1990, aggravated Jordan s already serious economic problems, forcing the government to stop most debt payments and suspend rescheduling negotiations. Aid from Gulf Arab states, worker remittances, and trade revenues contracted. Refugees flooded the country, producing serious balance-of-payments problems, stunting GDP growth, and straining government resources. The economy rebounded in 1992, largely due to the influx of capital repatriated by workers returning from the Gulf. After averaging 9% in 1992-95, GDP growth averaged only 1.5% during 1996-99. In an attempt to spur growth, King ABDALLAH has undertaken limited economic reform, including partial privatization of some state-owned enterprises and Jordan s entry in January 2000 into the World Trade Organization (WTrO). Debt, poverty, and unemployment are fundamental ongoing economic problems.purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.)2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2000 est.)3%25%72% (1998 est.)30% (1998 est.)2.4%34.7% (1991)0.7% (2000 est.)1.15 million note- in addition, at least 300,000 workers are employed abroad (1997 est.)industry 11.4%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 10.5%, construction 10%, transport and communications 8.7%, agriculture 7.4%, other services 52% (1992)15% official rate; actual rate is 25%-30% (1999 est.)$2.8 billion$3.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing, tourism3.8% (2000 est.)6.657 billion kWh (1999)99.79%0.21%0% 0% (1999)6.594 billion kWh (1999)4 million kWh (1999)407 million kWh (1999)wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry$2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products, manufacturesIndia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, EU, Indonesia, UAE, Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Ethiopia$4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals, manufactured goodsIraq, Germany, US, Japan, UK, Italy, Turkey, Malaysia, Syria, China$8 billion (2000 est.)ODA, $850 million (1996 est.)Jordanian dinar (JOD)JODJordanian dinars per US dollar - 0.7090 (1996-present ) note- since May 1989, the Jordanian dinar has been pegged to a group of currenciescalendar year Jordan Communications403,000 (1997)11,500 (1995) service has improved recently with the increased use of digital switching equipment, but better access to the telephone system is needed in the rural areas and easier access to pay telephones is needed by the urban public microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; considerable use is made of mobile cellular systems; Internet service is available satellite earth stations - 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; connection to international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); participant in MEDARABTEL; international links total about 4,000AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999)1.66 million (1997)20 (plus 96 repeaters) (1995)500,000 (1997).jo5 (2000)87,500 (2000)677 km677 km 1.050-m gauge (2000)8,000 km8,000 km0 km (2000 est.)nonecrude oil 209 km; note - may not be in useAl Aqabah6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,919 GRT/57,777 DWTbulk 1, cargo 3, container 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)18 (2000 est.) 15 7 6 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 3 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF; includes Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal Naval Force, and Royal Jordanian Air Force); Ministry of the Interior s Public Security Force (falls under JAF only in wartime or crisis situations)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,458,571 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,034,109 (2001 est.)males- 57,131 (2001 est.)$608.9 million (FY98/99)7.8% (FY98/99)international- noneJuan de Nova IslandNamed 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.Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique17 03 S, 42 45 EAfrica4.4 sq km4.4 sq km0 sq kmabout seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km24.1 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropicallow and flatIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location 10 mguano deposits and other fertilizers0%0%0%90%10%0 sq km (1993)periodic cyclonesNAwildlife sanctuaryno indigenous inhabitants note- there is a small French military garrison (July 2001 est.)noneJuan de Nova IslandnoneIle Juan de Novapossession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunionthe laws of France, where applicable, applythe flag of France is used Juan de Nova Island EconomyUp to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year. Juan de Nova Island Communications Communications - note- 1 meteorological stationNA km; short line going to a jettynonenone; offshore anchorage only1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- claimed by MadagascarKazakhstanNative 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 has caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include- developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country s vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; and continuing to strengthen relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers.Central Asia, northwest of China48 00 N, 68 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States2,717,300 sq km2,669,800 sq km47,500 sq kmslightly less than four times the size of Texastotal- 12,012 kmChina 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km0 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)none (landlocked)continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiaridextends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central AsiaVpadina Kaundy -132 mKhan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 mmajor deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium12%11%57%4%16% (1996 est.)22,000 sq km (1996 est.)earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almatyradioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with its former defense industries and test ranges are found throughout the country and pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practicesAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionClimate Change-Kyoto Protocollandlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome16,731,303 (July 2001 est.) 26.73% (male 2,271,866; female 2,200,078) 66.03% (male 5,358,535; female 5,688,550) 7.24% (male 412,761; female 799,513) (2001 est.)0.03% (2001 est.)17.3 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.61 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-6.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.52 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)59.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.29 years 57.87 years 68.97 years (2001 est.)2.07 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.04% (1999 est.)3,500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Kazakhstani(s)KazakhstaniKazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Uighur 1.4%, other 6.6% (1999 census)Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 40%, Russian (official, used in everyday business) 66% age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99% 96% (1989 est.)Republic of KazakhstanKazakhstanQazaqstan RespublikasynoneKazakh Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicAstana; note - the government moved from Almaty to Astana in December 199814 oblystar (singular - oblysy) and 3 cities (qala, singular - qalasy)*; Almaty, Almaty*, Aqmola (Astana), Aqtobe, Astana*, Atyrau, Batys Qazaqstan (Oral), Bayqongyr*, Mangghystau (Aqtau; formerly Shevchenko), Ongtustik Qazaqstan (Shymkent), Pavlodar, Qaraghandy, Qostanay, Qyzylorda, Shyghys Qazaqstan (Oskemen; formerly Ust -Kamenogorsk), Soltustik Qazaqstan (Petropavl), Zhambyl (Taraz; formerly Dzhambul) note- administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995 the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baykonyr, formerly Leninsk)16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)Republic Day, 25 October (1990)adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995; first post-independence constitution was adopted 28 January 1993based on civil law system18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991)Prime Minister Kazymzhomart TOKAYEV (since 2 October 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 10 January 1999, a year before it was previously scheduled (next to be held NA 2006); note - President NAZARBAYEV s previous term had been extended to 2000 by a nationwide referendum held 30 April 1995; prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 81.7%, Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN 12.1%, Gani KASYMOV 4.7%, other 1.5% note- President NAZARBAYEV expanded his presidential powers by decree- only he can initiate constitutional amendments, appoint and dismiss the government, dissolve Parliament, call referenda at his discretion, and appoint administrative heads of regions and citiesbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 7 senators are appointed by the president; other members are popularly elected, two from each of the former oblasts and the former capital of Almaty, to serve six-year terms) and the Majilis (67 seats; the addition of 10 "Party List" seats brings the total to 77; members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms); note - with the oblasts being reduced to 14, the Senate will eventually be reduced to 37; a number of Senate seats come up for reelection every two years Senate - (indirect) last held 17 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2001); Majilis - last held 10 and 24 October and 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; 16 seats up for election in 1999, candidates nominated by local councils; Majilis - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Otan 23, Civic Party 13, Communist Party 3, Agrarian Party 3, People s Cooperative Party 1, independents 34; note - most independent candidates are affiliated with parastatal enterprises and other pro-government institutionsSupreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (7 members)Agrarian Party [Romin MADENOV]; Alash [Soverkazhy AKATAYEV]; AZAMAT Movement [Petr SVOIK, Murat AUEZOV, and Galym ABILSIITOV, cochairmen]; Civic Party [Azat PERUASHEV, first secretary]; Communist Party or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN, first secretary]; Forum of Democratic Forces [Nurbulat MASANOV, Deputy Chairman of the Republican People s Party of Kazakhstan (RNPK); Amirzhan KOSANOV, RNPK activist; Seidakhmet KUTTYKADAM, Orleu Movement; cochairmen]; Labor and Worker s Movement [Madel ISMAILOV, chairman]; Orleu Movement [Seidakhmet KUTTYKADAM]; Otan [Sergei TERESCHENKO, chairman]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; People s Congress of Kazakhstan of NKK [Olzhas SULEIMENOV, chairman]; People s Cooperative Party [Umirzak SARSENOV]; People s Unity Party or PUP [Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV]; Republican People s Party of Kazakhstan or RNPK [Akezhan KAZHEGELDIN]Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]AsDB, CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Kanat SAUDABAYEV 1401 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 232-5488 [1] (202) 232-5845 consulate(s)- New York Ambassador Richard H. JONES 99/97A Furmanova Street, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan 480091 American Embassy Almaty, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7030 [7] (3272) 63-39-21, 50-76-23, 50-76-27 (emergency number) [7] (3272) 63-38-83, 50-76-24sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold Kazakhstan EconomyKazakhstan, the second largest of the former Soviet republics in territory, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also is a large agricultural - livestock and grain - producer. Kazakhstan s industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources and also on a growing machine-building sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The breakup of the USSR in December 1991 and the collapse of demand for Kazakhstan s traditional heavy industry products resulted in a short-term contraction of the economy, with the steepest annual decline occurring in 1994. In 1995-97, the pace of the government program of economic reform and privatization quickened, resulting in a substantial shifting of assets into the private sector. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium agreement to build a new pipeline from western Kazakhstan s Tengiz oil field to the Black Sea increases prospects for substantially larger oil exports in several years. Kazakhstan s economy again turned downward in 1998 with a 2% decline in GDP due to slumping oil prices and the August financial crisis in Russia. The recovery of international oil prices in 1999, combined with a well-timed tenge devaluation and a bumper grain harvest, pulled the economy out of recession in 2000. Astana has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector by developing light industry.purchasing power parity - $85.6 billion (2000 est.)10.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2000 est.)10%30%60% (1999 est.)35% (1999 est.)2.7%26.3% (1996)13.4% (2000 est.)8.8 million (1997)industry 27%, agriculture 23%, services 50% (1996)13.7% (1998 est.)$3.1 billion$3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel, nonferrous metal, tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials14.9% (2000 est.)44.36 billion kWh (1999)87.12%12.65%0.23% 0% (1999)44.132 billion kWh (1999)200 million kWh (1999)3.077 billion kWh (1999)grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; wool, livestock$8.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)oil 40%, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery, chemicals, grain, wool, meat, coalEU 23%, Russia 20%, China 8% (1999)$6.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and parts, industrial materials, oil and gas, vehiclesRussia 37%, US, Uzbekistan, Turkey, UK, Germany, Ukraine, South Korea (1999)$12.5 billion (2000 est.)$409.6 million (1995)tenge (KZT)KZTtenge per US dollar - 145.09 (January 2001), 142.13 (2000), 119.52 (1999), 78.30 (1998), 75.44 (1997), 67.30 (1996)calendar year Kazakhstan Communications1.818 million (1997)11,202 (1997) service is poor; equipment antiquated intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; mobile cellular systems are available in most of Kazakhstan international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay; with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 IntelsatAM 60, FM 17, shortwave 9 (1998)6.47 million (1997)12 (plus nine repeaters) (1998)3.88 million (1997).kzNA70,000 (2000)14,400 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge- 14,400 km 1.520-m gauge (3,299 km electrified) (1997)NA km150,000 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather) (2000)NA km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather)3,900 km note- on the Syrdariya (Syr Darya) and Ertis (Irtysh) riverscrude oil 2,850 km; refined products 1,500 km; natural gas 3,480 km (1992)Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)449 (2000 est.) 28 6 14 5 3 (2000 est.) 421 11 18 45 101 246 (2000 est.)General Purpose Forces (Army), Air Force, Border Guards, Navy, Republican Guard18 years of agemales age 15-49- 4,509,179 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,598,859 (2001 est.)males- 163,628 (2001 est.)$322 million (FY99)1.5% (FY99)international- Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistansignificant illicit cultivation of cannabis and limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrone); limited government eradication program; cannabis consumed largely in the CIS; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia, North America, and Western Europe from Southwest Asia; developing heroin addiction problemKenyaRevered president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, when current 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 are viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. The country faces a period of political uncertainty because MOI is constitutionally required to step down at the next elections that have to be held by early 2003.Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania1 00 N, 38 00 EAfrica582,650 sq km569,250 sq km13,400 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Nevadatotal- 3,446 kmEthiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km536 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMvaries from tropical along coast to arid in interiorlow plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in westIndian Ocean 0 mMount Kenya 5,199 mgold, limestone, soda ash, salt barites, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower7%1%37%30%25% (1993 est.)660 sq km (1993 est.)recurring drought in northern and eastern regions; flooding during rainy seasonswater 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; poachingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingnone of the selected agreementsthe Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers on Mt. Kenya; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value30,765,916 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 41.95% (male 6,524,776; female 6,381,192) 55.26% (male 8,529,842; female 8,471,609) 2.79% (male 376,151; female 482,346) (2001 est.)1.27% (2001 est.)28.5 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.35 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- according to UNHCR, by the end of 1999 Kenya was host to 223,700 refugees from neighboring countries, including- Somalia 141,000 and Sudan 64,250 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)67.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 47.49 years 46.57 years 48.44 years (2001 est.)3.5 children born/woman (2001 est.)13.95% (1999 est.)2.1 million (1999 est.)180,000 (1999 est.)Kenyan(s)KenyanKikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 28%, indigenous beliefs 26%, Muslim 7%, other 1% note- a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widelyEnglish (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages age 15 and over can read and write 78.1% 86.3% 70% (1995 est.)Republic of KenyaKenyaBritish East AfricarepublicNairobi7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western12 December 1963 (from UK)Independence Day, 12 December (1963)12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, and 1997based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 199118 years of age; universalPresident Daniel Toroitich arap MOI (since 14 October 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Daniel Toroitich arap MOI (since 14 October 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president elected by popular vote from among the members of the National Assembly for a five-year 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 29 December 1997 (next to be held by early 2003); vice president appointed by the president President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI reelected; percent of vote - Daniel T. arap MOI (KANU) 40.6%, Mwai KIBAKI (DP) 31.5%, Raila ODINGA (NDP) 11.1%, Michael WAMALWA (FORD-K) 8.4%, Charity NGILU (SDP) 7.8%unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (222 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called "nominated" members who are appointed by the president, but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals) last held 29 December 1997 (next to be held by early 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - KANU 107, FORD-A 1, FORD-K 17, FORD-People 3, DP 39, NDP 21, SDP 15, SAFINA 5, smaller parties 2; seats appointed by the president - KANU 6, FORD-K 1, DP 2, SDP 1, NDP 1, SAFINA 1Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High CourtDemocratic Party of Kenya or DP [Mwai KIBAKI]; Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Asili or FORD-A [Martin SHIKUKU, secretary general]; Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya or FORD-K [Michael Kijana WAMALWA]; Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People [Kimaniwa NYOIKE, chairman]; Kenya African National Union or KANU [President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI] - the governing party; National Development Party or NDP [Raila ODINGA, president]; SAFINA [Farah MAALIM, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Dr. Apollo NJONJO, secretary general and Justus NYANG AYA, chairman]human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations; National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Kivutha KIBWANA]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Mutava MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY, chairman]ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Yusuf Abdulraham NZIBO 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-6101 [1] (202) 462-3829 offices in Los Angeles and New York are closed; mission to the UN remains open Ambassador Johnnie CARSON US Embassy, Mombasa Road, Nairobi P. O. Box 30137, Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 [254] (2) 537-800 [254] (2) 537-810three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior s shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center Kenya EconomyKenya is well placed to serve as an engine of growth in East Africa, but its economy has been stagnating because of poor management and uneven commitment to reform. In 1993, the government of Kenya implemented a program of economic liberalization and reform that included the removal of import licensing, price controls, and foreign exchange controls. With the support of the World Bank, IMF, and other donors, the reforms led to a brief turnaround in economic performance following a period of negative growth in the early 1990s. Kenya s real GDP grew 5% in 1995 and 4% in 1996, and inflation remained under control. Growth slowed after 1997, averaging only 1.5% in 1997-2000. In 1997, political violence damaged the tourist industry, and Kenya s Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program lapsed due to the government s failure to maintain reform or address public sector corruption. Severe drought in 1999 and 2000 caused water and energy rationing and reduced agricultural sector productivity. A new economic team was put in place in 1999 to revitalize the reform effort, strengthen the civil service, and curb corruption. The IMF and World Bank renewed their support to Kenya in mid-2000, but a number of setbacks to the economic reform program in late 2000 have renewed donor and private sector concern about the government s commitment to sound governance. Long-term barriers to development include electricity shortages, inefficient government dominance of key sectors, endemic corruption, and high population growth.purchasing power parity - $45.6 billion (2000 est.)0.4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2000 est.)25%13%62% (1999 est.)42% (1992 est.)1.8%34.9% (1994)7% (2000 est.)9.2 million (1998 est.)agriculture 75%-80%50% (1998 est.)$2.91 billion$2.97 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing; oil refining, cement; tourism0.5% (2000 est.)4.225 billion kWh (1999)31%67%0% 2% (1999 est.)4.075 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)146 million kWh (1999)coffee, tea, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs$1.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products, fish, cementUganda 18%, UK 15%, Tanzania 12%, Pakistan 8% (1999)$3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, iron and steelUK 12%, UAE 8%, Japan 8%, US 7% (1999)$6.2 billion (2000)$457 million (1997)Kenyan shilling (KES)KESKenyan shillings per US dollar - 78.733 (December 2000), 76.176 (2000), 70.326 (1999), 60.367 (1998), 58.732 (1997), 57.115 (1996)1 July - 30 June Kenya Communications290,000 (1998)5,345 (1997) unreliable; little attempt to modernize except for service to business trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system satellite earth stations - 4 IntelsatAM 24, FM 8, shortwave 6 (1999)3.07 million (1997)8 (1997)730,000 (1997).ke5 (2000)45,000 (1999)2,778 km2,778 km 1.000-m gauge note- the line connecting Nairobi with the port of Mombasa is the most important in the country63,800 km8,868 km54,932 km (1996)NA note- part of the Lake Victoria system is within the boundaries of Kenyapetroleum products 483 kmKisumu, Lamu, Mombasa2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,893 GRT/6,255 DWTpetroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)230 (2000 est.) 22 4 1 3 13 1 (2000 est.) 208 1 14 109 84 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary General Service Unit of the Policemales age 15-49- 7,712,402 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 4,774,889 (2001 est.)$197 million (FY98/99)1.9% (FY98/99)international- administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundarywidespread 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 AfricaKingman ReefThe US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There is no flora on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support an abundant and diverse marine fauna. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef were designated a National Wildlife Refuge.Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa6 24 N, 162 24 WOceania1 sq km1 sq km0 sq kmabout 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km3 km200 NM12 NMtropical, but moderated by prevailing windslow and nearly levelPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 1 mterrestrial and aquatic wildlife0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1996)wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazardnonebarren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the publicuninhabited (July 2001 est.)noneKingman Reefunincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior note- on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from the Department of the Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18 January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of Kingman Reef out to the twelve nautical mile territorial sea limitthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Kingman Reef Economyno economic activitynonenone; offshore anchorage onlylagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USKiribatiThe 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.Oceania, group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory lies in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (GMT +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction lie on the other side of the International Date Line1 25 N, 173 00 EOceania717 sq km717 sq km0 sq km note- includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islandsfour times the size of Washington, DC0 km1,143 km200 NM12 NMtropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade windsmostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefsPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location on Banaba 81 mphosphate (production discontinued in 1979)0%51%0%3%46% (1993 est.)NA sq kmtyphoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea levelheavy 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 riskBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreements20 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 Nauru94,149 (July 2001 est.) 40.53% (male 19,322; female 18,833) 56.27% (male 26,136; female 26,841) 3.2% (male 1,291; female 1,726) (2001 est.)2.31% (2001 est.)31.98 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.88 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)54 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 60.16 years 57.25 years 63.22 years (2001 est.)4.36 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAI-Kiribati (singular and plural)I-Kiribatipredominantly Micronesian with some PolynesianRoman Catholic 54%, Protestant (Congregational) 30%, some Seventh-Day Adventist, Baha i, Latter-day Saints, and Church of God (1996)English (official), I-Kiribati NA NA% NA% NA%Republic of KiribatiKiribati note- pronounced kir-ih-bahssGilbert IslandsrepublicTarawa3 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)12 July 1979 (from UK)Independence Day, 12 July (1979)12 July 1979NA18 years of age; universalPresident Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994); Vice President Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994); Vice President Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Assembly, includes the president, vice president, attorney general, and up to eight other ministers the House of Assembly chooses the presidential candidates from among their members and then those candidates compete in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 1998 (next to be held by NA November 2002); vice president appointed by the president Teburoro TITO reelected president; percent of vote - Teburoro TITO 52.3%, Dr. Harry TONG 45.8%, Amberoti NIKORA 1.9%, Taberannang TIMEON 0%unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (41 seats; 39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member, and one nominated to represent Banaba; members serve four-year terms) last held 23 September 1998 (next to be held by NA September 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Maneaban Te Mauri Party 14, National Progressive Party 11, independents 14Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates courts; judges at all levels are appointed by the presidentManeaban Te Mauri Party [Teburoro TITO]; National Progressive Party [Teatao TEANNAKI] 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 structuresNAACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant)the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean Kiribati EconomyA remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few national resources. 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. The financial sector is at an early stage of development as is the expansion of private sector initiatives. Foreign financial aid, largely from the UK and Japan, is a critical supplement to GDP, equal to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years. Remittances from workers abroad account for more than $5 million each year. Performance in 2000 fell short of the 2.5% growth in 1999, which benefited from increased copra production and exceptionally large revenues from fishing licenses.purchasing power parity - $76 million (2000 est.), supplemented by a nearly equal amount from external sources1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $850 (2000 est.)14%7%79% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2% (1999 est.)7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (1985 est.)2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.)$33.3 million$47.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1996 est.)fishing, handicrafts0.7% (1992 est.)7 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)6.5 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish$6 million (f.o.b., 1998)copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fishBangladesh, Australia, US, Hong Kong (1999)$44 million (c.i.f., 1999)foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuelAustralia, Fiji, Japan, NZ, China (1999)$10 million (1999 est.)$15.5 million (1995), largely from UK and JapanAustralian dollar (AUD)AUDAustralian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)NA Kiribati Communications2,000 (1997)NA NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) note- Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone serviceAM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)17,000 (1997)1 (1997)1,000 (1997).ki1 (2000)1,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km670 km (1996)NA kmNA km5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands)Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,291 GRT/1,295 DWTpassenger/cargo 1 (2000 est.)21 (2000 est.) 4 4 (2000 est.) 17 12 5 (2000 est.)no regular military forces; Police Force (carries out law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small police posts are on all islands)$NANA% Military - note- Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZinternational- noneKorea, NorthFollowing World War II, Korea was split into a northern, communist half and a southern, Western-oriented half. KIM Chong-il has ruled North Korea since his father and the country s founder, president KIM Il-song, died in 1994. After decades of mismanagement, the North relies heavily on international food aid to feed its population, while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea s long-range missile development and research into nuclear and chemical weapons are of major concern to the international community.Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea40 00 N, 127 00 EAsia120,540 sq km120,410 sq km130 sq kmslightly smaller than Mississippitotal- 1,673 kmChina 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km2,495 km200 NM12 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 bannedtemperate with rainfall concentrated in summermostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in eastSea of Japan 0 mPaektu-san 2,744 mcoal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower14%2%0%61%23% (1993 est.)14,600 sq km (1993 est.)late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fallwater pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water-borne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradationAntarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Seastrategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated21,968,228 (July 2001 est.) 25.52% (male 2,873,390; female 2,733,163) 67.63% (male 7,301,531; female 7,556,554) 6.85% (male 486,805; female 1,016,785) (2001 est.)1.22% (2001 est.)19.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.48 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)23.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.02 years 68.04 years 74.15 years (2001 est.)2.26 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAKorean(s)Koreanracially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanesetraditionally 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 freedomKorean age 15 and over can read and write Korean 99% 99% 99% (1990 est.)Democratic People s Republic of KoreaNorth KoreaChoson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguknone note- the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to their country abbreviation- DPRKauthoritarian socialist; one-man dictatorshipP yongyang9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp o-si* (Namp o City), P yongan-bukto (North P yongan Province), P yongan-namdo (South P yongan Province), P yongyang-si* (P yongyang City), Yanggang-do (Yanggang Province)15 August 1945 (from Japan)Founding of the Democratic People s Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction17 years of age; universalKIM Chong-il (since NA July 1994); note - in September 1998, KIM Chong-il was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded the nation s "highest administrative authority"; KIM Yong-nam was named President of the Supreme People s Assembly Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentialsPremier HONG Song-nam (since 5 September 1998)Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of People s Armed Forces, are appointed by the Supreme People s Assembly premier elected by the Supreme People s Assembly; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA) HONG Song-nam elected premier; percent of Supreme People s Assembly vote - NA%unicameral Supreme People s Assembly or Ch oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - the KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few seatsCentral Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People s Assembly)Chondoist Chongu Party [YU Mi-yong, chairwoman]; Korean Social Democratic Party [KIM Pyong-sik, chairman]; major party - Korean Workers Party or KWP [KIM Chong-il, General Secretary]NAARF (dialogue partner), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToOthree horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star Korea, North EconomyNorth Korea, one of the world s most centrally planned and isolated economies, faces desperate economic conditions. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and spare parts shortages. The nation faces its seventh year of food shortages because of weather-related problems, including major drought in 2000, and chronic shortages of fertilizer and fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries have allowed the regime to escape the major consequence of spreading economic failure, such as mass starvation, but the population remains vulnerable to prolonged malnutrition and deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military spending eats up resources needed for expanding investment and consumption goods. In 2000, the regime placed emphasis on expanding foreign trade links, embracing modern technology, and attracting foreign investment, but in no way at the expense of relinquishing central control over key national assets or undergoing market-oriented reforms.purchasing power parity - $22 billion (2000 est.)-3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)30%42%28% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%9.6 millionagricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%NA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAmilitary products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourismNA%28.6 billion kWh (1999)34.62%65.38%0% 0% (1999)26.598 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs$520 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments); agricultural and fishery productsJapan 28%, South Korea 21%, China 5%, Germany 4%, Russia 1% (1995)$960 million (c.i.f., 1999 est.)petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment; consumer goods, grainChina 33%, Japan 17%, Russia 5%, South Korea 4%, Germany 3% (1995)$12 billion (1996 est.)$NA; note - an estimated $200 million to $300 million in humanitarian aid from US, South Korea, Japan, and EU in 1997 plus much additional aid from the UN and non-governmental organizations; substantial continuing humanitarian aid, 1998-2000North Korean won (KPW)KPWofficial- North Korean won per US dollar - 2.15 (May 1994), 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3 (December 1989); market- North Korean won per US dollar - 200calendar year Korea, North Communications1.1 million (1997)NA NA NA satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Russian (Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and BeijingAM 16, FM 14, shortwave 12 (1999)3.36 million (1997)38 (1999)1.2 million (1997).kp1 (2000)NA5,000 km4,095 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified; 159 km double track)665 km 0.762-m gauge dual gauge- 240 km 1.435-m and 1.600-m gauges (four rails interlaced) (1996 est.)31,200 km1,997 km29,203 km (1996)2,253 km note- mostly navigable by small craft onlycrude oil 37 km; petroleum product 180 kmCh ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan110 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 661,792 GRT/903,367 DWTbulk 4, cargo 94, combination bulk 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (2000 est.)87 (2000 est.) 39 3 26 8 1 1 (2000 est.) 48 3 24 13 8 (2000 est.)Korean People s Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security Forces18 years of agemales age 15-49- 5,943,735 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,574,050 (2001 est.)males- 179,136 (2001 est.)$3.7 billion to $4.9 billion (FY98 est.)25% to 33% (FY98 est.)international- 33-km section of boundary with China in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite; Demarcation Line with South KoreaKorea, SouthAfter World War II, a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north. The Korean War (1950-53) had US and other UN forces intervene to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. An armistice was signed in 1953 splitting the peninsula at the 38th parallel known as the DMZ. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to 13 times the level of North Korea. In 1997, the nation suffered a severe financial crisis from which it continues to make a solid recovery. South Korea has also maintained its commitment to democratize its political processes. In June 2000, a historic first south-north summit took place between the south s President KIM Dae-jung and the north s leader KIM Chong-il. In December 2000, President KIM Dae-jung won the Noble Peace Prize for his lifeling committment to democracy and human rights in Asia. He is the first Korean to win a Nobel Prize.Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea37 00 N, 127 30 EAsia98,480 sq km98,190 sq km290 sq kmslightly larger than Indianatotal- 238 kmNorth Korea 238 km2,413 km24 NMnot specified200 NM12 NM; between 3 NM and 12 NM in the Korea Straittemperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than wintermostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and southSea of Japan 0 mHalla-san 1,950 mcoal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential19%2%1%65%13% (1993 est.)13,350 sq km (1993 est.)occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwestair pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishingAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol47,904,370 (July 2001 est.) 21.59% (male 5,475,453; female 4,864,918) 71.14% (male 17,291,202; female 16,789,380) 7.27% (male 1,352,312; female 2,131,105) (2001 est.)0.89% (2001 est.)14.85 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.93 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.11 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)7.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 74.65 years 70.97 years 78.74 years (2001 est.)1.72 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)3,800 (1999 est.)180 (1999 est.)Korean(s)Koreanhomogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)Christian 49%, Buddhist 47%, Confucianist 3%, Shamanist, Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way), and other 1%Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99.3% 96.7% (1995 est.)Republic of KoreaSouth KoreaTaehan-min guknone note- the South Koreans generally use the term "Han-guk" to refer to their country abbreviation- ROKrepublicSeoul9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch ungch ong-bukto, Ch ungch ong-namdo, Inch on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*, Soul-t ukpyolsi*, Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*, Ulsan-gwangyoksi*15 August 1945 (from Japan)Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)25 February 1988combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought20 years of age; universalPresident KIM Dae-jung (since 25 February 1998)Prime Minister YI Han-tong (since 23 May 2000)State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister s recommendation president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 18 December 1997 (next to be held by 18 December 2002); prime minister appointed by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president on the prime minister s recommendation KIM Dae-jung elected president; percent of vote - KIM Dae-jung (NCNP) 40.3% (with ULD partnership), YI Hoe-chang (GNP) 38.7%, YI In-che (NPP) 19.2%unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (273 seats total - 227 elected by direct, popular vote; members serve four-year terms) last held 13 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GNP 133, MDP 115, ULD 17, other 8Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly)Grand National Party or GNP [YI Hoe-chang, president]; Millennium Democratic Party or MDP [KIM Dae-jung, president]; United Liberal Democrats or ULD [KIM Chong-p il, honorary chairman, KIM Chong-ho, acting president] note- on 20 January 2000, the National Congress for New Politics or NCNP was renamed the Millennium Democratic Party or MDPFederation 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 AssociationsAfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador YANG Song-chol 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-5600 [1] (202) 387-0205 Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle consulate(s)- Hagatna (Guam) Ambassador (vacant) 82 Sejong-ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul 110-710 American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-0001 [82] (2) 397-4114 [82] (2) 738-8845white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field Korea, South EconomyAs one of the Four Dragons of East Asia, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth. Three decades ago GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is seven times India s, 16 times North Korea s, and comparable to the lesser economies of the European Union. This success through the late 1980s 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 1997-99 exposed certain longstanding weaknesses in South Korea s development model, including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. By 1999 GDP growth had recovered, reversing the substantial decline of 1998. Seoul has pressed the country s largest business groups to restructure and to strengthen their financial base. Growth in 2001 likely will be a more sustainable rate of 5%.purchasing power parity - $764.6 billion (2000 est.)9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $16,100 (2000 est.)5.6%41.4%53% (1999 est.)NA%2.9%24.3% (1993)2.3% (2000)22 million (2000)services 68%, industry 20%, agriculture 12% (1999)4.1% (2000 est.)$81.8 billion$94.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.1 billion (1999)electronics, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing17% (2000)250.287 billion kWh (1999)59.22%1.64%39.12% 0.02% (1999)232.767 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish$172.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)electronic products, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, steel, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fishUS 20.5%, Japan 11%, China 9.5%, Hong Kong 6.3%, Taiwan 4.4% (1999)$160.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grainsUS 20.8%, Japan 20.2%, China 7.4%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, Australia 3.9% (1999)$137 billion (November 2000)$NASouth Korean won (KRW)KRWSouth Korean won per US dollar - 1,271.89 (January 2001), 1,130.96 (2000), 1,188.82 (1999), 1,401.44 (1998), 951.29 (1997), 804.45 (1996)calendar year Korea, South Communications24 million (1999)27 million (June 2000) excellent domestic and international services NA fiber-optic submarine cable to China; the Russia-Korea-Japan submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)AM 106, FM 97, shortwave 6 (1999)47.5 million (1997)121 (plus 850 repeater stations and the eight-channel American Forces Korea Network) (1999)15.9 million (1997).kr11 (2000)15.3 million (2000)6,240 km6,240 km 1.435-m gauge (525 km electrified) (1998 est.)87,534 km65,388 km (including 1,996 km of expressways)22,146 km (1999)1,609 km note- restricted to small native craftpetroleum products 455 km; note - additionally, there is a parallel petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) pipeline being completedChinhae, Inch on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp o, P ohang, Pusan, Tonghae-hang, Ulsan, Yosu496 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,421,993 GRT/8,757,034 DWTbulk 105, cargo 168, chemical tanker 38, combination bulk 5, container 49, liquefied gas 16, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 70, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 5 (2000 est.)102 (2000 est.) 68 2 18 16 11 21 (2000 est.) 34 2 32 (2000 est.)203 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime Police (Coast Guard)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 14,148,552 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 8,979,778 (2001 est.)males- 394,397 (2001 est.)$12 billion (2000)3.2% (FY98/99)international- Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima/Tokdo) disputed with JapanKuwaitKuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia29 30 N, 45 45 EMiddle East17,820 sq km17,820 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than New Jerseytotal- 464 kmIraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km499 km12 NMdry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool wintersflat to slightly undulating desert plainPersian Gulf 0 munnamed location 306 mpetroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas0%0%8%0%92% (1993 est.)20 sq km (1993 est.)sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and Augustlimited natural fresh water resources; some of world s largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertificationClimate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer ProtectionBiodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumpingstrategic location at head of Persian Gulf2,041,961 note- includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) 28.76% (male 299,080; female 288,125) 68.82% (male 897,839; female 507,527) 2.42% (male 31,843; female 17,547) (2001 est.)3.38% (2001 est.) note- this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates21.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.77 male(s)/female 1.81 male(s)/female 1.51 male(s)/female (2001 est.)11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.27 years 75.42 years 77.15 years (2001 est.)3.2 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.12% (1999 est.)NANAKuwaiti(s)KuwaitiKuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%Arabic (official), English widely spoken age 15 and over can read and write 78.6% 82.2% 74.9% (1995 est.)State of KuwaitKuwaitDawlat al KuwaytAl Kuwaytnominal constitutional monarchyKuwait5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al Asimah, Al Jahra , Hawalli19 June 1961 (from UK)National Day, 25 February (1950)approved and promulgated 11 November 1962civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionadult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21 note- only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first timeAmir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977)Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarchunicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National AssemblyHigh Court of Appealnone; formation of political parties is illegalseveral political groups act as de facto parties- Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi a activists, and secular leftists and nationalistsABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant) 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 966-0702 [1] (202) 966-0517 Ambassador James A. LAROCCO Bayan, near the Bayan palace, Kuwait City P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000 [965] 539-5307 [965] 538-0282three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side Kuwait EconomyKuwait is a small, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait s climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02, which begins 1 April, contains higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.purchasing power parity - $29.3 billion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)0%55%45% (1996)NA%NA%NA%3% (2000)1.3 million (1998 est.) note- 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%1.8% (official 1996 est.)$11.5 billion$17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02)petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials1% (1997 est.)31.567 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)29.357 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)practically no crops; fish$23.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)oil and refined products, fertilizersJapan 23%, US 12%, Singapore 8%, Netherlands 7% (1999)$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothingUS 15%, Japan 10%, UK 7%, Germany 7% (1999)$6.9 billion (2000 est.)$27.6 million (1995)Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)KWDKuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3057 (January 2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996)1 April - 31 March Kuwait Communications412,000 (1997)210,000 (1997) the quality of service is excellent new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 ArabsatAM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)1.175 million (1997)13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)875,000 (1997).kw3 (2000)100,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km4,450 km3,590 km860 km (1999 est.)nonecrude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 kmAsh Shu aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina Abd Allah, Mina al Ahmadi, Mina Su ud45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,461,072 GRT/3,966,645 DWTbulk 1, cargo 6, container 6, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 20 (2000 est.)8 (2000 est.) 4 2 2 (2000 est.) 4 1 3 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard18 years of agemales age 15-49- 780,559 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 466,521 (2001 est.)males- 18,309 (2001 est.)$1.9 billion (FY00/01)8.7% (FY00/01)international- in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islandsKyrgyzstanA Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include- privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, inter-ethnic relations, and terrorism.Central Asia, west of China41 00 N, 75 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States198,500 sq km191,300 sq km7,200 sq kmslightly smaller than South Dakotatotal- 3,878 kmChina 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zonepeaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nationKara-Darya 132 mJengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 mabundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc7%0%44%4%45% (1993 est.) note- Kyrgyzstan has the world s largest natural growth walnut forest9,000 sq km (1993 est.)NAwater pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practicesAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementslandlocked4,753,003 (July 2001 est.) 35.03% (male 841,029; female 823,723) 58.83% (male 1,369,842; female 1,426,522) 6.14% (male 110,340; female 181,547) (2001 est.)1.44% (2001 est.)26.18 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.13 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.61 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)76.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.46 years 59.2 years 67.94 years (2001 est.)3.19 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Kyrgyzstani(s)KyrgyzstaniKirghiz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian - official language note- in May 2000, the Kyrgyzstani legislature made Russian an official language, equal in status to Kirghiz age 15 and over can read and write 97% 99% 96% (1989 est.)Kyrgyz RepublicKyrgyzstanKyrgyz RespublikasynoneKirghiz Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicBishkek7 oblastlar (singular - oblast) and 1 city* (singular - shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note- administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 31 August (1991)adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislaturebased on civil law system18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 22 December 2000)Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held November or December 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other candidates 12%; note - election marred by serious irregularitiesbicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People s Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Assembly of People s Representatives - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005); Legislative Assembly - last held 20 February and 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA February 2005) Assembly of People s Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; percent of vote by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows- Union of Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4, independents 73, other 10 note- the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of People s Representatives and the Legislative AssemblySupreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of ArbitrationAgrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson S. SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Arkin ALIYEV]; Ata-Meken Socialist Party or Fatherland [Onurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Banner National Revival Party or ASABA [Chaprashty BAZARBAY]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Democratic Women s Party of Kyrgyzstan [T. A. SHAILIYEVA]; Dignity Party [Feliks KULOV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Tursunbay Bakir UULU]; Justice Party [Chingiz AYTMATOV]; Movement for the People s Salvation [Jumgalbek AMAMBAYEV]; Mutual Help Movement or Ashar [Jumagazy USUPOV]; My Country of Action [Almazbek ISMANKULOV]; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE [Yury RAZGULYAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Absamat M. MASALIYEV]; Party of the Veterans of the War in Afghanistan [leader NA]; Peasant Party [leader NA]; People s Party [Melis ESHIMKANOV]; Poor and Unprotected People s Party [Daniyar USENOV]; Republican Popular Party of Kyrgyzstan [J. SHARSHENALIYEV]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [J. IBRAMOV]; Union of Democratic Forces (composed of Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or PSD [J. IBRAMOV], Economic Revival Party, and Birimdik PartyCouncil of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYIDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of EntrepreneursAsDB, CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 338-5141 [1] (202) 338-5139 Ambassador John M. O KEEFE 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek use embassy street address [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 [996] (312) 551-264red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt Kyrgyzstan EconomyKyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government s stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country s economic turnaround in 1996-97. Growth was held down to 2.1% in 1998 largely because of the spillover from Russia s economic difficulties, but moved ahead to 3.6% in 1999 and an estimated 5.7% in 2000. The government has adopted a series of measures to combat such persistent problems as excessive external debt, inflation, and inadequate revenue collection.purchasing power parity - $12.6 billion (2000 est.)5.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2000 est.)39%22%39% (1999 est.)51% (1997 est.)2.7%31.7% (1997)18.7% (2000 est.)1.7 millionagriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (1999 est.)6% (1998 est.)$207.4 million$238.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals7% (2000 est.)12.981 billion kWh (1999)6.67%93.33%0% 0% (1999)10.236 billion kWh (1999)2.02 billion kWh (1999)184 million kWh (1999)tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool$482 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoesGermany 33%, Russia 16%, Kazakhstan 10%, Uzbekistan 10%, China 6% (1999)$579 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)oil and gas, machinery and equipment, foodstuffsRussia 18%, Kazakhstan 12%, US 9%, Germany 8%, Uzbekistan 8%, China (1999)$1.4 billion (2000 est.)$329.4 million (1995)Kyrgyzstani som (KGS)KGSsoms per US dollar - 48.701 (January 2001), 47.704 (2000), 39.008 (1999), 20.838 (1998), 17.362 (1997), 12.810 (1996)calendar year Kyrgyzstan Communications351,000 (1997)NA poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic lineAM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)520,000 (1997)NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)210,000 (1997).kgNA10,000 (2000)370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge- 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)18,500 km (including 140 km of expressways)16,854 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)1,646 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1996)600 km (1990)natural gas 200 kmBalykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach ye)50 (2000 est.) 4 1 1 1 1 (2000 est.) 46 3 5 6 32 (2000 est.)Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces, Border Troops18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,203,001 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 975,744 (2001 est.)males- 50,590 (2001 est.)$12 million (FY99)1% (FY99)international- territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area; periodic target of Islamic insurgents from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistanlimited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest AsiaLaosIn 1975 the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam18 00 N, 105 00 ESoutheast Asia236,800 sq km230,800 sq km6,000 sq kmslightly larger than Utahtotal- 5,083 kmBurma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateausMekong River 70 mPhou Bia 2,817 mtimber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones3%0%3%54%40% (1993 est.)1,250 sq km (1993 est.) note- rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)floods, droughts, and blightunexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementslandlocked5,635,967 (July 2001 est.) 42.75% (male 1,212,577; female 1,196,795) 53.94% (male 1,494,927; female 1,544,851) 3.31% (male 85,632; female 101,185) (2001 est.)2.48% (2001 est.)37.84 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.02 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)92.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 53.48 years 51.58 years 55.44 years (2001 est.)5.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.05% (1999 est.)1,400 (1999 est.)130 (1999 est.)Lao(s) or Laotian(s)Lao or LaotianLao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40%Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages age 15 and over can read and write 57% 70% 44% (1999 est.)Lao People s Democratic RepublicLaosSathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon LaononeCommunist stateVientiane16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang19 July 1949 (from France)Republic Day, 2 December (1975)promulgated 14 August 1991based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since NA March 2001)Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since NA March 2001); Deputy Prime Ministers THONGLOUN Sisolit (since NA March 2001), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%unicameral National Assembly (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - by presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased from 85 to 99) last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99People s Supreme Court (the president of the People s Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People s Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)Lao People s Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribednoncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador VANG Rattanavong 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-6416 [1] (202) 332-4923 Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affairs Karen Brevard STEWART 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546 [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585 [856] (21) 212584three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band Laos EconomyThe government of Laos - one of the few remaining official communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% during 1988-97. Reform efforts subsequently slowed, and GDP growth dropped an average of 3 percentage points. Because Laos depends heavily on its trade with Thailand, it was damaged by the regional financial crisis beginning in 1997. Government mismanagement deepened the crisis, and from June 1997 to June 1999 the Lao kip lost 87% of its value. Laos foreign exchange problems peaked in September 1999 when the kip fell from 3,500 kip to the dollar to 9,000 kip to the dollar in a matter of weeks. Now that the currency has stabilized, however, the government seems content to let the current situation persist, despite limited government revenue and foreign exchange reserves. A landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure, Laos has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international sources; Japan is currently the largest bilateral aid donor; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut sharply.purchasing power parity - $9 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)51%22%27% (1999 est.)46.1% (1993 est.)4.2%26.4% (1992)33% (2000 est.)1 million - 1.5 millionagriculture 80% (1997 est.)5.7% (1997 est.)$211 million$462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism7.5% (1999 est.)792 million kWh (1999)2.78%97.22%0% 0% (1999)173.6 million kWh (1999)705 million kWh (1999)142 million kWh (1999)sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry$323 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tinVietnam, Thailand, Germany, France, Belgium$540 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuelThailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Hong Kong$2.46 billion (1998 est.)$345 million (1999 est.)kip (LAK)LAKkips per US dollar - 7,578.00 (December 2000), 7,102.03 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998), 1,259.98 (1997), 921.02 (1996)1 October - 30 September Laos Communications25,000 (1997)4,915 (1997) service to general public is poor but improving, with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas radiotelephone communications satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)730,000 (1997)4 (1999)52,000 (1997).la1 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km14,000 km3,360 km10,640 km (1991)4,587 km approximately note- primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 mpetroleum products 136 kmnone1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)51 (2000 est.) 8 1 5 2 (2000 est.) 43 1 17 25 (2000 est.)Lao People s Army (LPA; includes riverine element), Air Force, National Police Department18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,319,537 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 710,627 (2001 est.)males- 64,437 (2001 est.)$55 million (FY98)4.2% (FY96/97)international- parts of the border with Thailand are indefiniteworld s third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 1999 - 21,800 hectares, a 16% decrease over 1998; estimated potential production in 1999 - 140 metric tons, about the same as in 1998); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabisLatviaAfter a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania57 00 N, 25 00 EEurope64,589 sq km64,589 sq km0 sq kmslightly larger than West Virginiatotal- 1,150 kmBelarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km531 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMmaritime; wet, moderate winterslow plainBaltic Sea 0 mGaizinkalns 312 mminimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land27%0%13%46%14% (1993 est.)160 sq km (1993 est.)NAair and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military basesAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol2,385,231 (July 2001 est.) 16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036) 68.15% (male 776,509; female 848,908) 15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.)-0.81% (2001 est.)8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.48 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female (2001 est.)15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.7 years 62.8 years 74.9 years (2001 est.)1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.11% (1999 est.)1,250 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Latvian(s)LatvianLatvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian OrthodoxLatvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 99% (1989 est.)Republic of LatviaLatviaLatvijas RepublikaLatvijaLatvian Soviet Socialist Republicparliamentary democracyRiga26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*- Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 18 November 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Unionthe 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedomsbased on civil law system18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizensPresident Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000)Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) percent of vote by party - People s Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 7%; seats by party - People s Party 24, LC 21, TB/LNNK 17, TSP 16, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8Supreme Court (judges appointments are confirmed by Parliament)Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People s Party or KTP [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; For Human Rights in a United Latvia [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People s Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSKI]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDWU [Juris BOJARS and Janis ADAMSONS, leaders]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia s Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; New Christian Party [Ainars SLESERS]; New Faction [Ingrida UDRE]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; People s Party [Andris SKELE]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE]NABIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Aivis RONIS 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214 [1] (202) 726-6785 Ambassador James H. HOLMES Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 [371] 721-0005 [371] 782-0047three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon Latvia EconomyIn 2000, Latvia s transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government s budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia s trade dependency on Russia. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment fell to 7.8% in 2000, down from 9.6% in 1999, and 9.2% in 1998. Privatization of large state-owned utilities and the shipping industry faced more delays in 2000, and political instability will continue to delay completion of the privatization process over the next year. Latvia projects 6% GDP growth, 2.5%-3.0% inflation, and a 1.7% fiscal deficit in 2001. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years remains a top foreign policy goal.purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.)5.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.)5%33%62% (1999)NA%2.9%25.9% (1998)2.7% (2000)1.4 million (2000 est.)agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.)7.8% (2000 est.)$1.33 billion$1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products6.3% (2000 est.)3.996 billion kWh (1999)31.78%68.22%0% 0% (1999)4.316 billion kWh (1999)400 million kWh (1999)1 billion kWh (1999)grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffsGermany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999)$3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuelsRussia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999)$800 million (2000 est.)$96.2 million (1995)Latvian lat (LVL)LVLlati per US dollar - 0.614 (January 2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996)calendar year Latvia Communications748,000 (1997)77,100 (1997) inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)1.76 million (1997)44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)1.22 million (1997).lv42 (2000)234,000 (2000)2,412 km broad gauge- 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)59,178 km22,843 km36,335 km (1998 est.)300 km (perennially navigable)crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,984 GRT/29,978 DWTcargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)25 (2000 est.) 13 7 1 1 4 (2000 est.) 12 1 2 2 7 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 590,784 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 463,944 (2001 est.)males- 19,114 (2001 est.)$60 million (FY99)0.9% (FY99)international- draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; has not ratified 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamine, ephedrine, and ecstasy for exportLebanonLebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since 1991 and the end of the devastating 16-year civil war. Under the Ta if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, the radical Shi a party, retains its weapons. Syria maintains about 25,000 troops in Lebanon based mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria s troop deployment was legitimized by the Arab League during Lebanon s civil war and in the Ta if Accord. Damascus justifies its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut s requests, and the failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta if Accord. Israel s withdrawal from its security zone in southern Lebanon in May of 2000, however, has emboldened some Lebanese Christians and Druze to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well.Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria33 50 N, 35 50 EMiddle East10,400 sq km10,230 sq km170 sq kmabout 0.7 times the size of Connecticuttotal- 454 kmIsrael 79 km, Syria 375 km225 km12 NMMediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snowsnarrow coastal plain; Al Biqa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon MountainsMediterranean Sea 0 mQurnat as Sawda 3,088 mlimestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land18%9%1%8%64% (1996 est.)860 sq km (1993 est.)dust storms, sandstormsdeforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spillsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsEnvironmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life ConservationNahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity3,627,774 (July 2001 est.) 27.57% (male 509,975; female 490,031) 65.72% (male 1,136,995; female 1,247,184) 6.71% (male 110,964; female 132,625) (2001 est.)1.38% (2001 est.)20.16 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.39 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)28.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.52 years 69.13 years 74.03 years (2001 est.)2.05 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.09% (1999 est.)NANALebanese (singular and plural)LebaneseArab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%Muslim 70% (including Shi a, Sunni, Druze, Isma ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 30% (including Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Protestant), Jewish NEGL%Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian age 15 and over can read and write 86.4% 90.8% 82.2% (1997 est.)Lebanese RepublicLebanonAl Jumhuriyah al LubnaniyahLubnanrepublicBeirut5 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beyrouth, Ech Chimal, Ej Jnoub, El Bekaa, Jabal Loubnane22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)Independence Day, 22 November (1943)23 May 1926, amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Taif Accord) of October 1989mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary educationPresident Emile LAHUD (since 24 November 1998)Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI (since 23 October 2000); Deputy Prime Minister Issam FARES (since 23 October 2000)Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly; the current Cabinet was formed in 1998 president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term; election last held 15 October 1998 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly; by custom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi a Muslim Emile LAHUD elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 votes in favor, 0 against, 10 abstentionsunicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held 27 August and 3 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - Muslim 57% (of which Sunni 25%, Sh ite 25%, Druze 6%, Alawite less than 1%), Christian 43% (of which Maronite 23%); seats by party - Muslim 64 (of which Sunni 27, Sh ite 27, Druze 8, Alawite 2), Christian 64 (of which Maronite 34)four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council (called for in Ta if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws); Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime minister as needed)political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerationsNAABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Dr. Farid ABBOUD 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-6300 [1] (202) 939-6324 Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles Ambassador David M. SATTERFIELD Antelias, Beirut P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Beirut; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE 09836-0002 [961] (4) 543600, 543600 [961] (4) 544136three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band Lebanon EconomyThe 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon s economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon s position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Peace enabled the central government to restore control in Beirut, begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. Economic recovery was helped by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers. Family remittances, banking services, manufactured and farm exports, and international aid provided the main sources of foreign exchange. Lebanon s economy has made impressive gains since the launch in 1993 of "Horizon 2000," the government s $20 billion reconstruction program. Real GDP grew 8% in 1994, 7% in 1995, 4% per year in 1996 and 1997 but slowed to 2% in 1998, -1% in 1999, and 1% in 2000. Annual inflation fell during the course of the 1990s from more than 100% to 0%, and foreign exchange reserves jumped from $1.4 billion to more than $6 billion. Burgeoning capital inflows have generated foreign payments surpluses, and the Lebanese pound has remained very stable for the past two years. Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure. Solidere, a $2-billion firm, has managed the reconstruction of Beirut s central business district; the stock market reopened in January 1996; and international banks and insurance companies are returning. The government nonetheless faces serious challenges in the economic arena. It has funded reconstruction by tapping foreign exchange reserves and by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. The newly re-installed HARIRI government s announced policies fail to address the ever-increasing budgetary deficits and national debt burden. The gap between rich and poor has widened in the 1990s, resulting in grassroots dissatisfaction over the skewed distribution of the reconstruction s benefits.purchasing power parity - $18.2 billion (2000 est.)1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2000 est.)12%27%61% (1999 est.)28% (1999 est.)NA%NA%0% (2000 est.)1.3 million (1999 est.) note- in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (1997 est.)services NA%, industry NA%, agriculture NA%18% (1997 est.)$3.31 billion$5.55 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)banking; food processing; jewelry; cement; textiles; mineral and chemical products; wood and furniture products; oil refining; metal fabricatingNA%7.748 billion kWh (1999)91.29%8.71%0% 0% (1999)7.86 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)654 million kWh (1999)citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats$700 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs and tobacco, textiles, chemicals, precious stones, metal and metal products, electrical equipment and products, jewelry, paper and paper productsUAE 9%, Saudi Arabia 8%, Syria 6%, US 6%, Kuwait 6%, France 5%, Belgium 5%, Jordan 4% (1999)$6.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, textiles, metals, fuels, agricultural foodsItaly 13%, France 11%, Germany 8%, US 7%, Switzerland 6%, Japan, UK, Syria (1999)$9.6 billion (2000 est.)$3.5 billion (pledges 1997-2001)Lebanese pound (LBP)LBPLebanese pounds per US dollar - 1,507.5 (January 2001), 1,507.5 (2000), 1,507.8 (1999), 1,516.1 (1998), 1,539.5 (1997), 1,571.4 (1996)calendar year Lebanon Communications700,000 (1999)580,000 (1999) telecommunications system severely damaged by civil war; rebuilding well underway primarily microwave radio relay and cable satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations); coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cablesAM 20, FM 22, shortwave 4 (1998)2.85 million (1997)15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995)1.18 million (1997).lb22 (2000)227,500 (2000)399 km (mostly unusable because of damage in civil war)317 km 1.435-m82 km (1999)7,300 km6,350 km950 km (1999 est.)nonecrude oil 72 km (none in operation)Antilyas, Batroun, Beirut, Chekka, El Mina, Ez Zahrani, Jbail, Jounie, Naqoura, Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 379,705 GRT/592,672 DWTbulk 10, cargo 42, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 1, container 4, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 3 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Netherlands 1, Syria 1 (2000 est.)8 (2000 est.) 5 1 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 2 1 (2000 est.)Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; includes Army, Navy, and Air Force)males age 15-49- 980,412 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 605,332 (2001 est.)$343 million (FY99/00)4.8% (FY99/00)international- Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976; Lebanese government claims Shab a Farms area of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights as a part of Lebanon from which Hizballah conducts cross-border attacksinconsequential producer of hashish; a Lebanese/Syrian eradication campaign started in the early 1990s has practically eliminated the opium and cannabis cropsLesothoBasutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule.Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa29 30 S, 28 30 EAfrica30,355 sq km30,355 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Marylandtotal- 909 kmSouth Africa 909 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summersmostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountainsjunction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 mThabana Ntlenyana 3,482 mwater, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals11%0%66%0%23% (1993 est.)30 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughtspopulation pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South AfricaBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer ProtectionEndangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumpinglandlocked; surrounded by South Africa2,177,062 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 39.28% (male 430,147; female 424,994) 56.03% (male 588,440; female 631,404) 4.69% (male 43,033; female 59,044) (2001 est.)1.49% (2001 est.)31.24 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)15.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)82.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 48.84 years 47.97 years 49.74 years (2001 est.)4.08 children born/woman (2001 est.)23.57% (1999 est.)240,000 (1999 est.)16,000 (1999 est.)Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)BasothoSotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa age 15 and over can read and write 83% 72% 93% (1999 est.)Kingdom of LesothoLesothoBasutolandparliamentary constitutional monarchyMaseru10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha s Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka4 October 1966 (from UK)Independence Day, 4 October (1966)2 April 1993based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995, while his father was in exilePrime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998)Cabinet none; according to the constitution, the leader of the majority party in the assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to determine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and may even depose the monarchbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (80 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 65 to 80 in the May 1998 election; on 28 February 2001, the Senate approved expansion of the Assembly by a further 50 seats in the next election, which may be held as early as January 2002 last held 23 May 1998 (next to be held NA March 2001) percent of vote by party - LCD 60.7%, BNP 24.5%, other 14.8%; seats by party - LCD 79, BNP 1 note- results contested; opposition parties claimed the election was fraudulent and staged a coup; Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces intervened in September 1998 and restored order; the Interim Political Authority (IPA) was set up in December 1998 to create a new electoral system and conduct new elections.High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal; Magistrate s Court; customary or traditional courtBasotho Congress Party or BCP [Tseliso MAKHAKHE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD [Phebe MOTEBANO, chairwoman; Dr. Pakalitha MOSISILI, leader] - the governing party; United Democratic Party or UDP [Charles MOFELI]; Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP and Setlamo Alliance [Vincent MALEBO]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Chief Peete Nkoebe PEETE]; Sefate Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Lebohang Kenneth MOLEKO 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536 [1] (202) 234-6815 Ambassador Katherine H. PETERSON 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho [266] 312666 [266] 310116divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner Lesotho EconomySmall, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho s primary natural resource is water. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, livestock, and remittances from miners employed in South Africa. The number of such mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years. A small manufacturing base depends largely on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries. Agricultural products are exported primarily to South Africa. Proceeds from membership in a common customs union with South Africa form the majority of government revenue. Although drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years, completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa, generating royalties for Lesotho. The pace of substantial privatization has increased in recent years. In December 1999, the government embarked on a nine-month IMF staff-monitored program aimed at structural adjustment and stabilization of macroeconomic fundamentals. The government is in the process of applying for a three-year successor program with the IMF under its Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility.purchasing power parity - $5.1 billion (2000 est.)2.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2000 est.)18%38%44% (1999)49.2% (1999 est.)0.9%43.4% (1986-87)6% (2000 est.)700,000 economically active86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa45% (2000 est.)$76 million$80 million, including capital expenditures of $15 million (FY99/00 est.)food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts; construction; tourism15.5% (1999 est.)0 kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (1999)0%0%0% 0% (1999)55 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)55 million kWh note- electricity supplied by South Africa (1999)corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock$175 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (1998)South African Customs Union 65%, North America 34% (1998)$700 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products (1995)South African Customs Union 90%, Asia 7% (1998)$720 million (2000 est.)$123.7 million (1995)loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR)LSL; ZARmaloti per US dollar - 7.78307 (January 2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996); note - the Lesotho loti is at par with the South African rand which is also legal tender; maloti is the plural form of loti1 April - 31 March Lesotho Communications20,000 (1997)1,262 (1996) rudimentary system consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)104,000 (1997)1 (2000)54,000 (1997).ls1 (2000)1,000 (2000)2.6 km; note - owned by, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa2.6 km 1.067-m gauge (1995)4,955 km887 km4,068 km (1996)nonenone29 (2000 est.) 4 1 1 2 (2000 est.) 25 4 21 (2000 est.)Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police (RLMP)males age 15-49- 515,464 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 277,369 (2001 est.)$34 million (1999)NA% Military - note- The Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defense Force s (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs.international- noneLiberiaSeven years of civil strife were brought to a close in 1996 when free and open presidential and legislative elections were held. President TAYLOR now holds strong executive power with no real political opposition. The years of fighting coupled with the flight of most businesses have disrupted formal economic activity. A still unsettled domestic security situation has slowed the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d Ivoire and Sierra Leone6 30 N, 9 30 WAfrica111,370 sq km96,320 sq km15,050 sq kmslightly larger than Tennesseetotal- 1,585 kmGuinea 563 km, Cote d Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km579 km200 NMtropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showersmostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeastAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Wuteve 1,380 miron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower1%3%59%18%19% (1993 est.)20 sq km (1993 est.)dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)tropical rain forest subject to deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewageBiodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation3,225,837 (July 2001 est.) 43.21% (male 698,178; female 695,599) 53.34% (male 840,103; female 880,403) 3.45% (male 56,073; female 55,481) (2001 est.)1.92% (2001 est.)46.55 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)16.36 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- by the end of 1999, all Liberian refugees, who had fled the domestic strife, were assumed to have returned 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)132.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 51.41 years 49.96 years 52.91 years (2001 est.)6.36 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.8% (1999 est.)39,000 (1999 est.)4,500 (1999 est.)Liberian(s)Liberianindigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence age 15 and over can read and write 38.3% 53.9% 22.4% (1995 est.) note- these figures are increasing because of the improving school systemRepublic of LiberiaLiberiarepublicMonrovia13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe26 July 1847Independence Day, 26 July (1847)6 January 1986dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector18 years of age; universalPresident Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (since 2 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (since 2 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA July 2003) Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percent of vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF (UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held in NA 2006); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held in NA 2003) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3, Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1; note - the Alliance of Political Parties was a coalition of the LAP and the Liberia Unification Party or LUPSupreme CourtAll Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Lusinee KAMARA]; Liberian Action Party or LAP [Cletus WOTORSON]; Liberian National Union or LINU [Henry MONIBA, chairman]; Liberian People s Party or LPP [Togba-Nah TIPOTEH, chairman]; National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [Isaac DAKINAH]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Charles Ghankay TAYLOR] - governing party; People s Progressive Party or PPP [Chea CHEAPOO, chairman]; Reformation Alliance Party or RAP [Henry Boimah FAHNBULLEH, chairman]; True Whig Party or TWP [Rudolph SHERMAN, chairman]; United People s Party or UPP [Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS, chairman]; Unity Party or UP [Charles Clarke]NAACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Ambassador William BULL 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 723-0437 [1] (202) 723-0436 New York Ambassador Bismarck MYRICK 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, Monrovia use embassy street address [231] 226-370 through 226-380 [231] 226-14811 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag Liberia EconomyA civil war in 1989-96 destroyed much of Liberia s economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some returned during 1997. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The democratically elected government, installed in August 1997, inherited massive international debts and currently relies on revenues from its maritime registry to provide the bulk of its foreign exchange earnings. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies of the new government, including the encouragement of foreign investment. Recent growth has been from a low base, and continued growth will require major policy successes.purchasing power parity - $3.35 billion (2000 est.)15% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)60%10%30% (2000 est.)80%NA%NA%5% (2000 est.)agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (1999 est.)70%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NArubber processing, palm oil processing, diamondsNA432 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)401.8 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber$55 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoaBelgium 53%, Switzerland 9%, US 6%, France 4% (1999)$170 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; rice and other foodstuffsSouth Korea 30%, Italy 24%, Japan 15%, Germany 9% (1999)$3 billion (1999 est.)$200 million pledged (1998)Liberian dollar (LRD)LRDLiberian dollars per US dollar - 39.8100 (December 2000), 41.0483 (2000), 41.9025 (1999), 41.5075 (1998), 1.0000 (officially fixed rate 1940-97); market exchange rate- Liberian dollars per US dollar - 40 (December 1998), 50 (October 1995) note- until December 1997, rates were based on a fixed relationship with the US dollar; beginning in January 1998, rates are market determinedcalendar year Liberia Communications6,000 (1997)0 (1995) telephone and telegraph service via microwave radio relay network; main center is Monrovia NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 0, FM 6, shortwave 4 (1999)790,000 (1997)2 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2000)70,000 (1997).lr1 (2000)300 (2000)490 km (328 km single track); note - three rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with the Liberian Government; one of these, the Lamco Railroad, closed in 1989 after iron ore production ceased; the other two were shut down by the civil war; large sections of the rail lines have been dismantled; approximately 60 km of railroad track was exported for scrap345 km 1.435-m gauge145 km 1.067-m gauge10,600 km657 km9,943 km note- (there is major deterioration on all highways due to heavy rains and lack of maintenance) (1996 est.)noneBuchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia1,478 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 49,456,361 GRT/76,620,648 DWTbarge carrier 3, bulk 324, cargo 97, chemical tanker 163, combination bulk 20, combination ore/oil 38, container 245, liquefied gas 97, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 24, petroleum tanker 310, refrigerated cargo 74, roll on/roll off 19, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 45 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Argentina 8, Australia 1, Ashmore and Cartier Islands 1, Austria 5, Bermuda 5, Belgium 5, Burma 1, Brazil 8, Canada 1, China 28, Chile 7, Costa Rica 8, Cyprus 27, Denmark 4, Ecuador 1, Germany 117, Greece 83, Hong Kong 54, Croatia 9, Indonesia 2, India 8, Israel 1, Italy 8, Japan 85, South Korea 8, Latvia 15, Monaco 28, Mexico 6, Malaysia 1, Nigeria 1, Netherlands 7, Norway 86, Netherlands Antilles 1, NZ 1, Poland 2, Portugal 2, Philippines 1, Russia 22, Saudi Arabia 20, South Africa 1, Slovenia 1, Singapore 30, Spain 1, Sweden 8, Switzerland 23, UAE 5, Taiwan 10, UK 15, US 85, Uruguay 1, Vietnam 1 (2000 est.)46 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 44 3 5 36 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, Navymales age 15-49- 715,753 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 385,460 (2001 est.)$1 million (FY98)2% (FY98)international- large refugee population from civil war in Sierra Leoneincreasingly a transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US marketsLibyaSince he took power in a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own political system - a combination of socialism and Islam - which he calls the Third International Theory. Viewing himself as a revolutionary leader, he used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, even supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. Libyan military adventures failed, e.g., the prolonged foray of Libyan troops into the Aozou Strip in northern Chad was finally repulsed in 1987. Libyan support for terrorism decreased after UN sanctions were imposed in 1992. Those sanctions were suspended in April 1999.Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia25 00 N, 17 00 EAfrica1,759,540 sq km1,759,540 sq km0 sq kmslightly larger than Alaskatotal- 4,383 kmAlgeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km1,770 km12 NM note- Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes northMediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interiormostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressionsSabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 mBikku Bitti 2,267 mpetroleum, natural gas, gypsum1%0%8%0%91% (1993 est.)4,700 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstormsdesertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal citiesClimate Change, Desertification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsBiodiversity, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban5,240,599 note- includes 662,669 non-nationals, of which an estimated 500,000 or more are Africans living in Libya (July 2001 est.) 35.41% (male 947,645; female 907,854) 60.64% (male 1,645,085; female 1,533,066) 3.95% (male 101,701; female 105,248) (2001 est.)2.42% (2001 est.)27.67 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.51 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female (2001 est.)28.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.65 years 73.53 years 77.88 years (2001 est.)3.64 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.05% (1999 est.)NANALibyan(s)LibyanBerber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, TunisiansSunni Muslim 97%Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities age 15 and over can read and write 76.2% 87.9% 63% (1995 est.)Great Socialist People s Libyan Arab JamahiriyaLibyaAl Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al UzmanoneJamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorshipTripoli25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati , Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions24 December 1951 (from Italy)Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsoryRevolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of stateSecretary of the General People s Committee (Premier) Mubarak al-SHAMEKH (since 2 March 2000)General People s Committee established by the General People s Congress national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people s committees; head of government elected by the General People s Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be held NA) Mubarak al-SHAMEKH elected premier; percent of General People s Congress vote - NA%unicameral General People s Congress (NA seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people s committees)Supreme Courtnonevarious Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elementsABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToOplain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) Libya EconomyThe socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-quarter of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. In this statist society, import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to periodic shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. Higher oil prices in 1999 and 2000 led to an increase in export revenues, which improved macroeconomic balances and helped to stimulate the economy. Following the suspension of UN sanctions in 1999, Libya has been trying to increase its attractiveness to foreign investors, and several foreign companies have visited in search of contracts.purchasing power parity - $45.4 billion (2000 est.)6.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2000 est.)7%47%46% (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%18.5% (2000 est.)1.5 million (2000 est.)services and government 54%, industry 29%, agriculture 17% (1997 est.)30% (2000 est.)$6.85 billion$4.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cementNA%18.9 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)17.577 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle$13.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil, refined petroleum productsItaly 33%, Germany 24%, Spain 10%, France 5%, Turkey 4%, Tunisia 4% (1999)$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goodsItaly 24%, Germany 12%, Tunisia 9%, UK 7%, France 6%, South Korea 5% (1999)$4.1 billion (2000 est.)$8.4 million (1995)Libyan dinar (LYD)LYDLibyan dinars per US dollar - 0.5101 (January 2001), 0.5081 (2000), 0.4616 (1999), 0.3785 (1998), 0.3891 (1997), 0.3651 (1996) note- Libya currently has two rates for foreign trade; one for government operations and foreign companies and one for Libyan individuals (0.45 dinars per US dollar in December 1998)calendar year Libya Communications380,000 (1996)NA telecommunications system is being modernized; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996 microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999)AM 17, FM 4, shortwave 3 (1998)1.35 million (1997)12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1998)730,000 (1997).ly1 (2000)7,500 (2000) Railways- note- Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, all previous systems having been dismantled; current plans are to construct a 1.435-m standard gauge line from the Tunisian frontier to Tripoli and Misratah, then inland to Sabha, center of a mineral-rich area, but there has been little progress; other plans made jointly with Egypt would establish a rail line from As Sallum, Egypt, to Tobruk with completion originally set for mid-1994; Libya signed contracts with two private companies - Bahne of Egypt and Jez Sistemas Ferroviarios of Spain - in 1998 for the supply of crossings and pointwork (1001)24,484 km6,800 km17,684 km (1996)nonecrude oil 4,383 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 256 km); natural gas 1,947 kmAl Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra s Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 399,725 GRT/654,843 DWTcargo 10, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 4 (2000 est.)136 (2000 est.) 58 23 6 22 5 2 (2000 est.) 78 4 2 14 40 18 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Command17 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,459,400 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 866,012 (2001 est.)males- 61,694 (2001 est.)$1.3 billion (FY99/00)3.9% (FY99/00)international- Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger and also a part of southeastern AlgeriaLiechtensteinThe Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to conclude a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral) the country s low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering.Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland47 10 N, 9 32 EEurope160 sq km160 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.9 times the size of Washington, DCtotal- 76 kmAustria 35 km, Switzerland 41 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summersmostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western thirdRuggeller Riet 430 mGrauspitz 2,599 mhydroelectric potential, arable land24%0%16%35%25% (1993 est.)NA sq kmNANAAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Seaalong with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation32,528 (July 2001 est.) 18.41% (male 2,992; female 2,996) 70.6% (male 11,455; female 11,511) 10.99% (male 1,439; female 2,135) (2001 est.)0.98% (2001 est.)11.53 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.95 years 75.32 years 82.6 years (2001 est.)1.5 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANALiechtensteiner(s)LiechtensteinAlemannic 87.5%, Italian, Turkish, and other 12.5%Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 7.4%, unknown 7.7%, other 4.9% (1996)German (official), Alemannic dialect age 10 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (1981 est.)Principality of LiechtensteinLiechtensteinFuerstentum LiechtensteinLiechtensteinhereditary constitutional monarchyVaduz11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman EmpireAssumption Day, 15 August5 October 1921local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations20 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968)Head of Government Mario FRICK (since 15 December 1993) and Deputy Head of Government Michael RITTER (since 2 February 1997)Cabinet elected by the Diet; confirmed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Diet is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarchunicameral Diet or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held on 9-11 February 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005) percent of vote by party - FBP 49.90%, VU 41.35%, FL 8.71%; seats by party - FBP 13, VU 11, FL 1Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Superior Court or ObergerichtFatherland Union or VU [Dr. Oswald KRANZ]; Progressive Citizens Party or FBP [Dr. Ernst WALCH]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER]NACE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO (observer), WIPO, WTrOtwo equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band Liechtenstein EconomyDespite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 18% - and easy incorporation rules have induced 73,700 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.purchasing power parity - $730 million (1998 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $23,000 (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%0.5% (1997 est.)22,891 of which 13,847 are foreigners; 8,231 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each dayindustry, trade, and building 45%, services 53%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 2% (1997 est.)1.8% (February 1999)$424.2 million$414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourismNA%NA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhNA kWhNA kWhwheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products$2.47 billion (1996)small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware, potteryEU and EFTA countries 60.57% (Switzerland 15.7%) (1995)$917.3 million (1996)machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehiclesEU countries, Switzerland (1996)$0 (1996)noneSwiss franc (CHF)CHFSwiss francs per US dollar - 1.6303 (January 2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998), 1.4513 (1997), 1.2360 (1996)calendar year Liechtenstein Communications20,000 (1997)NA automatic telephone system NA linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relayAM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)21,000 (1997)NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)12,000 (1997).li44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000)NA18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)250 km250 km0 kmnonenonenone Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Switzerlandinternational- Liechtenstein s royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918multilateral organizations engaged in issuing international guidelines for financial sector oversight have found gaps in Liechtenstein s financial services controls that make it vulnerable to money launderingLithuaniaIndependent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for eventual integration into Western European institutions.Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia56 00 N, 24 00 EEurope65,200 sq km65,200 sq km0 sq kmslightly larger than West Virginiatotal- 1,273 kmBelarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km99 km12 NMtransitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summerslowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soilBaltic Sea 0 mJuozapines/Kalnas 292 mpeat, arable land39%9%6%31%15% (2001 est.)430 sq km (1993 est.)NAcontamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military basesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol3,610,535 (July 2001 est.) 18.75% (male 345,694; female 331,125) 67.69% (male 1,181,119; female 1,262,872) 13.56% (male 165,732; female 323,993) (2001 est.)-0.27% (2001 est.)10 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.86 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.51 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.25 years 63.3 years 75.5 years (2001 est.)1.37 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)less than 500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Lithuanian(s)LithuanianLithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish 7%, Byelorussian 1.6%, other 2.1%Roman Catholic (primarily), Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical Christian Baptist, Muslim, JewishLithuanian (official), Polish, Russian age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99% 98% (1989 est.)Republic of LithuaniaLithuaniaLietuvos RespublikaLietuvaLithuanian Soviet Socialist Republicparliamentary democracyVilnius44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and 11 municipalities*- Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birstonas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Marijampoles Rajonas, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininku Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Silutes Rajonas, Sirvintu Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traku Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania s independence)Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 is the date of independence from German, Austrian, Prussian, and Russian occupation, 11 March 1990 is the date of independence from the Soviet Unionadopted 25 October 1992based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts18 years of age; universalPresident Valdas ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998)Premier Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3 July 2001)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 and 4 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2002); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote - Valdas ADAMKUS 50.4%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.6%unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Coalition 31.1%, New Union/Social Liberals 19.6%, Liberal Union 17.2%, TS 8.6%, remaining parties all less than 5%; seats by party - Social Democratic Coalition 52, Liberal Union 34, New Union/Social Liberals 29, TS 9, Farmer s Party 4, Center Union 2, Poles Electoral Action 2, Modern Christian Democratic Union 1, independents 3, others 5Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts appointed by the ParliamentChristian Democratic Party or LKDP [Zigmas ZINKEVICIUS, chairman]; Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI, chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Center Union or LCS [Kestutis GLAVECKAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Farmer s Party or LUP [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Liberal Union [Rolandas PAKSAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Coalition [Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman] consists of the Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party or LDDP, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSPD, and New Democracy; Modern Christian Democratic Union [Vytautas BOGUSIS, chairman]; New Union-Social Liberals [Arturas PAULAUSKAS, chairman]NAACCT (observer), BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Vygaudas USACKAS 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-5860 [1] (202) 328-0466 Chicago and New York Ambassador John F. TEFFT Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723 [370] (2) 223-031 [370] (2) 227-236three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red Lithuania EconomyLithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade with Russia, has been slowly rebounding from the 1998 Russian financial crisis. High unemployment and weak consumption have held back recovery. GDP growth for 2000 - estimated at 2.9% - fell behind that of Estonia and Latvia, and unemployment is estimated at 10.8%, the country s highest since regaining independence in 1990. For 2001, Lithuanians forecast 3.2% growth, 1.8% inflation, and a fiscal deficit of 3.3%. In early 2001, the Lithuanian Government announced that it will repeg its currency, the litas, to the euro (the litas is currently pegged to the dollar) some time in 2002. Lithuania must ratify 25 agreements along with other legal documents and obligations by 1 May 2001 before gaining World Trade Organization membership. Lithuania was invited to the Helsinki summit in December 1999 and began EU accession talks in early 2000. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, remains a key challenge for 2001.purchasing power parity - $26.4 billion (2000 est.)2.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,300 (2000 est.)10%33%57% (1999 est.)NA%3.1%25.6% (1996)1% (2000 est.)2 million (2000 est.)industry 30%, agriculture 20%, services 50% (1997 est.)10.8% (2000)$1.5 billion$1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber2.3% (2000 est.)13.567 billion kWh (1999)23.89%3.43%72.68% 0% (1999)9.817 billion kWh (1999)3.2 billion kWh (1999)400 million kWh (1999)grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish$3.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment 22%, mineral products 15%, chemicals 12%, textiles and clothing, foodstuffs (1999)Germany 15.8%, Latvia 12.6%, Russia 6.9%, Belarus 5.8%, Denmark (1999)$4.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment 18%, mineral products 16%, chemicals 10%, textiles and clothing 10%, transport equipment 7% (1999)Russia 20.4%, Germany 16.5%, Denmark 3.8%, Belarus 2.2%, Latvia 2% (1999)$2.5 billion (2000 est.)$228.5 million (1995)litas (LTL)LTLlitai per US dollar - 4.000 (fixed rate since 1 May 1994); note - litai is the plural of litascalendar year Lithuania Communications1.048 million (1997)297,500 (November 1998) inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an improved international capability and better residential access a national, fiber-optic cable, interurban, trunk system is nearing completion; rural exchanges are being improved and expanded; mobile cellular systems are being installed; access to the Internet is available; still many unsatisfied telephone subscriber applications landline connections to Latvia and Poland; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satelliteAM 3, FM 112, shortwave 1 (1998)1.9 million (1997)20 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)1.7 million (1997).lt14 (2000)225,000 (2000)2,002 km broad gauge- 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)44,000 km35,500 km8,500 km (2000)600 km (perennially navigable)crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)Butinge, Kaunas, Klaipeda50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 293,168 GRT/327,827 DWTcargo 26, combination bulk 10, petroleum tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 3 (2000 est.)72 (2000 est.) 9 2 4 3 (2000 est.) 63 3 5 55 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 929,389 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 730,363 (2001 est.)males- 28,506 (2001 est.)$181 million (FY99)1.66% (FY00)international- Latvia has not ratified a 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights); 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified by Russiatransshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe and Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and ecstasyLuxembourgFounded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.Western Europe, between France and Germany49 45 N, 6 10 EEurope2,586 sq km2,586 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Rhode Islandtotal- 356 kmBelgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 135 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)modified continental with mild winters, cool summersmostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeastMoselle River 133 mBuurgplaatz 559 miron ore (no longer exploited), arable land24%1%20%35%20%10 sq km (including Belgium) (1993 est.)NAair and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmlandAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modificationlandlocked442,972 (July 2001 est.) 18.91% (male 43,051; female 40,711) 67.03% (male 149,781; female 147,165) 14.06% (male 24,921; female 37,343) (2001 est.)1.26% (2001 est.)12.25 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.88 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.3 years 74.02 years 80.8 years (2001 est.)1.7 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.16% (1999 est.)NAless than 100 (1999 est.)Luxembourger(s)LuxembourgCeltic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kososvo) and European (guest and resident workers)the greatest preponderance of the population is Roman Catholic with a very few Protestants, Jews, and Muslims note- 1979 legislation forbids the collection of religious statisticsLuxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language) age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (2000 est.)Grand Duchy of LuxembourgLuxembourgGrand Duche de LuxembourgLuxembourgconstitutional monarchyLuxembourg3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg1839 (from the Netherlands)National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June17 October 1868, occasional revisionsbased on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsorynone (landlocked)Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981);Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Lydie POLFER (since 7 August 1999)Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and vice prime minister appointed by the monarch, following popular election to the Chamber of Deputies; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note- government coalition - CSV and DPunicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2004) percent of vote by party - CSV 29.79%, DP 21.58%, LSAP 23.75%, ADR 10.36%, Green Party 9.09%, the Left 3.77%; seats by party - CSV 19, DP 15, LSAP 13, ADR 6, Green Party 5, the Left 2 note- the Council of State or Conseil d Etat, which has 21 members who are appointed and dismissed by the Grand Duke based on proposals from the government, the Chamber of Deputies, or the Council of State, is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputiesjudicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor s Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarchAction Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People s Party or CSV (known also as Christian Social Party or PCS) [Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie POLFER]; Green Party [Abbes JACOBY and Felix BRAS]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers Party or LSAP [Jean ASSELBORN]; Marxist and Reformed Communist Party DEI LENK (the Left) [no formal leadership]; other minor partiesABBL (bankers association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); LCGP (center-right trade union); OGBL (center-left trade union)ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-4171 [1] (202) 328-8270 New York and San Francisco Ambassador James C. HORMEL 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) [352] 46 01 23 [352] 46 14 01three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France Luxembourg EconomyThe stable, high-income economy features solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a substantial proportion of the economy. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for 30% of its labor force. Luxembourg has a custom union with Belgium and the Netherlands, and, as a member of the EU, enjoys the advantages of the open European market. It joined with 10 other EU members to launch the euro on 1 January 1999.purchasing power parity - $15.9 billion (2000 est.)5.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $36,400 (2000 est.)1%30%69% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%7.8% (2000 est.)248,000 (of whom 70,200 are foreign cross-border workers primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2000)services 83.2%, industry 14.3%, agriculture 2.5% (1998 est.)2.7% (2000 est.)$5.6 billion$5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum7.8% (2000 est.)648 million kWh (1999)36.88%53.09%0% 10.03% (1999)6.149 billion kWh (1999)655 million kWh (1999)6.201 billion kWh (1999)barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glassEU 75% (Germany 25%, France 21%, Belgium 13%, UK 8%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5%), US 4% (1999)$10 billion (c.i.f., 2000)minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goodsEU 81% (Belgium 35%, Germany 26%, France 12%, Netherlands 4%), US 9% (1999)$NA Economic aid - donor- ODA, $160 million (1999)Luxembourg franc (LUF); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Luxembourg at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Luxembourg francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002LUF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Luxembourg francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.299 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourgcalendar year Luxembourg Communications314,700 (1999)215,741 (2000) highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)285,000 (1997)5 (1999)285,000 (1998 est.).lu8 (2000)86,000 (1999)274 km274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified; 178 km double track) (1998)5,166 km5,166 km (including 118 km of expressways)0 km (1999)37 km (on the Moselle)petroleum products 48 kmMertert50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 988,450 GRT/1,313,498 DWTbulk 2, chemical tanker 11, container 2, liquefied gas 18, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 7 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Belgium 4 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army; note - the government abolished the Gendarmerie19 years of agemales age 15-49- 112,714 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 92,817 (2001 est.)males- 2,565 (2001 est.)$131 million (FY98/99)1% (FY98/99)international-MacauColonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China s socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs.Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China22 10 N, 113 33 ESoutheast Asia21 sq km21 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.1 times the size of Washington, DCtotal- 0.34 kmChina 0.34 km40 kmnot specifiedsubtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summersgenerally flatSouth China Sea 0 mColoane Alto 174 mNEGL0%2%0%0%98% (1998 est.)NA sq kmtyphoonsNAessentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland453,733 (July 2001 est.) 22.68% (male 53,291; female 49,615) 70.08% (male 150,538; female 167,431) 7.24% (male 13,287; female 19,571) (2001 est.)1.79% (2001 est.)12.36 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.71 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 81.69 years 78.88 years 84.64 years (2001 est.)1.31 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAChineseChineseChinese 95%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry), Portuguese, otherBuddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.)Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese) age 15 and over can read and write 90% 93% 86% (1981 est.)Macau Special Administrative RegionMacauAomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)special administrative region of ChinaNAnone (special administrative region of China)none (special administrative region of China)National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People s Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment DayBasic Law, approved in March 1993 by China s National People s Congress, is Macau s "mini-constitution"based on Portuguese civil law systemdirect election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodiesnot specifiedPresident of China JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993)Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999)Executive Council consists of all five government secretaries, three legislators, and two businessmen NAunicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (23 seats; 8 elected by popular vote, 8 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members serve four-year terms) last held 22 September 1996 (next to be held by 15 October 2001) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - APPEM 2, UNIPRO 2, CODEM 1, UDM 1, UPD 1, ANMD 1The Court of Final Appeal in the Macau Special Administrative Regionthe following is a listing of those associations that participated in the last legislative elections- Associacao de Novo Macau Democratico or ANMD [leader NA]; Associacao Promotora para a Economia de Macau or APPEM [leader NA]; Convergencia para o Desenvolvimento or CODEM [leader NA]; Uniao Geral para o Desenvolvimento de Macau or UDM [leader NA]; Uniao para o Desenvolvimento or UPD [leader NA]; Uniao Promotora para o Progresso or UNIPRO [leader NA] note- there are no formal political parties, but civic associations are used insteadCatholic Church [Domingos LAM, bishop]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO, managing director]; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong, leader]CCC, ESCAP (associate), IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), UNESCO (associate), WMO, WToO (associate), WTrOlight green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars- one large in center of arc and four smaller Macau EconomyThe economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided about three-fourths of export earnings; the gambling industry probably represents over 40% of GDP. More than 8 million tourists visited Macau in 2000. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods. Output dropped 5% in 1998 and 3% in 1999, with a small 2% gain in 2000. Macau reverted to Chinese administration on 20 December 1999. Gang violence, a dark spot in the economy, probably will be reduced in 2000-01 to the advantage of the tourism sector.purchasing power parity - $7.82 billion (2000 est.)2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2000 est.)1%25%74% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%-1.8% (2000 est.)283,450 (1999)restaurants and hotels 26%, manufacturing 22%, other services 52% (2000 est.)6.6% (2000)$1.26 billion$1.22 billion, including capital expenditures of $175 million (1999 est.)clothing, textiles, toys, electronics, footwear, tourism, gamblingNA%1.355 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.422 billion kWh (1999)3 million kWh (1999)165 million kWh (1999)rice, vegetables$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)textiles, clothing, toys, electronics, cement, footwear, machineryUS 47%, EU 30%, China 9.2%, Hong Kong 6.7% (1999)$2.4 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods, fuels, consumer goodsChina 36%, Hong Kong 18%, EU 13%, Taiwan 10%, Japan 7% (1999)$1.7 billion (1997)$NApataca (MOP)MOPpatacas per US dollar - 8.033 (January 2001), 8.025 (2000), 7.990 (1999), 7.978 (1998), 7.974 (1997), 7.966 (1996); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollarcalendar year Macau Communications176,837 (2000)120,957 (2000) fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services NA HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)160,000 (1997)0 (receives Hong Kong broadcasts) (1997)49,000 (1997).mo1 (2000)40,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km50 km50 km0 km (2001)noneMacau Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Macau garrison of China s People s Liberation Army (PLA) includes about 500 troopsmales age 15-49- 125,737 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 69,191 (2001 est.) Military - note- responsibility for defense reverted to China on 20 December 1999international- noMacedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic ofInternational recognition of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia s (FYROM) independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece s objection to the new state s use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over FYROM s use of "Macedonia." FYROM s large Albanian minority and the de facto independence of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension.Southeastern Europe, north of Greece41 50 N, 22 00 EEurope25,333 sq km24,856 sq km477 sq kmslightly larger than Vermonttotal- 748 kmAlbania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km, Yugoslavia 221 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfallmountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar RiverVardar River 50 mGolem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 mchromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber, arable land24%2%25%39%10% (1993 est.)830 sq km (1993 est.)high seismic risksair pollution from metallurgical plantsAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementslandlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe2,046,209 (July 2001 est.) 22.92% (male 243,715; female 225,349) 66.94% (male 688,484; female 681,225) 10.14% (male 92,043; female 115,393) (2001 est.)0.43% (2001 est.)13.5 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)12.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 74.02 years 71.79 years 76.43 years (2001 est.)1.79 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Macedonian(s)MacedonianMacedonian 66.6%, Albanian 22.7%, Turkish 4%, Roma 2.2%, Serb 2.1%, other 2.4% (1994)Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% NA NA% NA% NA%The Former Yugoslav Republic of MacedonianoneRepublika MakedonijaMakedonija abbreviation- FYROMemerging democracySkopje123 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Bac, Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola, Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair (Skopje), Capari, Caska, Cegrane, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Dolna Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor, Jegunovce, Kamenjane, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Klecevce, Kocani, Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste, Kosel, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis, Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovi Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila, Murtino, Negotino, Negotino-Poloska, Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo, Ohrid, Orasac, Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnia, Podares, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Rostusa, Samokov, Saraj, Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnika, Srbinovo, Star Dojran, Staravina, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Topolcani, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vitoliste, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zileno, Zitose, Zletovo, Zrnovci note- the seven municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute "greater Skopje"17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)Uprising Day, 2 August (1903)adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 note- Democratic Party for Albanians (DPA), which is now a member party of the government, is calling for a rewrite of the constitution to declare ethnic Albanians a constituent national group and allow for greater regional autonomybased on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Boris TRAJKOVSKI (since 15 December 1999)Prime Minister Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI (since 30 November 1998)Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, LDP, and DPA president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister elected by parliament; election last held NA November 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) Boris TRAJKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Boris TRAJKOVSKI 52.4%, Tito PETKOVSKI 46.2%unicameral Assembly or Sobranje (120 seats - 85 members are elected by popular vote, 35 members come from lists of candidates submitted by parties based on the percentage that parties gain from the overall vote; all serve four-year terms) last held 18 October and 1 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 43, SDSM 27, PDP 14, DA 13, DPA 11, VMRO-VMRO 6, LDP 4, SP 1, Roma Party 1Constitutional Court; Judicial Court of the Republic; judges for both courts are elected by the Judicial CouncilDemocratic Alternative or DA [Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic Party for Albanians or DPA [Arben XHAFERI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Ljubcho GEORGIEVSKI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-True Macedonian Reform Option or VMRO-VMRO [Boris STOJMANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Risto GUSTERVO]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PDP [Imeri IMERI, president]; Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM (former Communist Party) [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Union of Romanies of Macedonia or SRM [leader NA]NAACCT (associate), BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Ljubica Z. ACEVSKA 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 337 3063 [1] (202) 337-3093 New York Ambassador Michael M. EINIK Bul. Ilinden bb, 91000 Skopje American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) [389] (91) 116-180 [389] (91) 117-103a rising yellow sun with eight rays extending to the edges of the red field Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of EconomyAt independence in November 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on its largest market Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP has subsequently increased each year, rising by 5% in 2000. Successful privatization in 2000 boosted the country s reserves to over $700 million. Also, the leadership demonstrated a continuing commitment to economic reform, free trade, and regional integration. Inflation jumped to 11% in 2000, largely due to higher oil prices.purchasing power parity - $9 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2000 est.)12%25%63% (2000)25% (2000 est.)NA%NA%11% (2000 est.)1 million (1999 est.)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%32% (2000)$1.06 billion$1 billion, including capital expenditures of $107 million (1996 est.)coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco3% (2000)6.395 billion kWh (1999)82.25%17.75%0% 0% (1999)5.992 billion kWh (1999)30 million kWh (1999)75 million kWh (1999)rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton$1.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steelGermany 22%, Yugoslavia 22%, US 12%, Greece 7%, Italy 6% (2000)$2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food productsGermany 13%, Ukraine 13%, Russia 10%, Yugoslavia 8%, Greece 8% (2000)$1.4 billion (2000)$100 million from the EU (2000)Macedonian denar (MKD)MKDMacedonian denars per US dollar - 64.757 (January 2001), 65.904 (2000), 56.902 (1999), 54.462 (1998), 50.004 (1997), 39.981 (1996)calendar year Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Communications408,000 (1997)12,362 (1997) NA NA NAAM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)410,000 (1997)31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)510,000 (1997).mk6 (2000)30,000 (2000)699 km699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) note- a 56-km extension of the Kumanovo-Beljakovci line to the Bulgarian border at Gyveshevo is under construction (2001)8,684 km5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways)3,144 km (1997)note- lake transport only, on the Greek and Albanian borders10 kmnone16 (2000 est.) 10 2 8 (2000 est.) 6 3 3 (2000 est.)Army (includes Air and Air Defense Forces), Police Force19 years of agemales age 15-49- 548,183 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 442,053 (2001 est.)males- 17,905 (2001 est.)$76.3 million (FY00/01)2.17% (FY00/01)international- dispute with Greece over its name; February 2001 agreement with Yugoslavia settled alignment of boundary, stipulating implementation within two yearsincreasing transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for EuropeMadagascarFormerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997 in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency.Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique20 00 S, 47 00 EAfrica587,040 sq km581,540 sq km5,500 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Arizona0 km4,828 km24 NM200 NM or 100 NM from the 2,500-m deep isobath200 NM12 NMtropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in southnarrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in centerIndian Ocean 0 mMaromokotro 2,876 mgraphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower4%1%41%40%14% (1993 est.)10,870 sq km (1993 est.)periodic cyclonessoil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangeredBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsLaw of the Seaworld s fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel15,982,563 (July 2001 est.) 45.02% (male 3,607,803; female 3,587,532) 51.77% (male 4,093,720; female 4,180,430) 3.21% (male 239,839; female 273,239) (2001 est.)3.02% (2001 est.)42.66 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.42 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)83.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 55.35 years 53.08 years 57.68 years (2001 est.)5.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.15% (1999 est.)11,000 (1999 est.)870 (1999 est.)Malagasy (singular and plural)MalagasyMalayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoranindigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%French (official), Malagasy (official) age 15 and over can read and write 80% 88% 73% (1990 est.)Republic of MadagascarMadagascarRepublique de MadagascarMadagascarMalagasy RepublicrepublicAntananarivo6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara26 June 1960 (from France)Independence Day, 26 June (1960)19 August 1992 by national referendumbased on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Didier RATSIRAKA (since 10 February 1997)Prime Minister Tantely Rene Gabriot ANDRIANARIVO (since NA 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA November 2001); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly Didier RATSIRAKA elected president; percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%, Albert ZAFY (AFFA) 49.3%unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the legislature is scheduled to become a bicameral Parliament with the establishment of a Senate; two-thirds of the seats of this Senate will be filled by regional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of the seats will be appointed by the president; the total number of seats will be determined by the National Assembly; all members will serve four-year terms National Assembly - last held 17 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AREMA 63, LEADER/Fanilo 16, AVI 14, RPSD 11, AFFA 6, MFM 3, AKFM/Fanavaozana 3, GRAD/Iloafo 1, Fihaonana 1, independents 32Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour ConstitutionnelleAction, Truth, Development, and Harmony or AFFA [Professor Albert ZAFY]; Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [leader vacant]; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence or AKFM/Fanavaozana; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Rally or Fihaonana [Guy RAZANAMASY]; Group of Reflection and Action for the Development of Madagascar or GRAD/Iloafo; Judged by Your Work or AVI [Norbert RATSIRAHONANA]; Movement for the Progress of Madagascar or MFM [Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]; Tranobe (Big House) [Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO]Federalist Movement; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKMACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Zina ANDRIANARIVELO-RAZAFY 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 New York Ambassador Shirley E. BARNES 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo [261] (20) 22-212-57 [261] (20) 22-345-39two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side Madagascar EconomyMadagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products. Growth in output in 1992-97 averaged less than the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee prices, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform. The extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants of future growth. For 2001, growth should again be about 5%.purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2000 est.)4.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $800 (2000 est.)30%14%56% (1999 est.)70% (1994 est.)1.9%36.7% (1993)10% (1999 est.)7 million (1999)NA%$553 million$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism3% (2000 est.)810 million kWh (1999)37.04%62.96%0% 0% (1999)753.3 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products$538 million (f.o.b., 1998)coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum productsFrance 41%, US 19%, Germany 13%, UK 8%, Japan 6% (1999)$693 million (f.o.b., 1998)intermediate manufactures, capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, foodFrance 34%, Hong Kong 6%, China 6%, Japan 5%, Singapore 4% (1999)$4.4 billion (1999)$838 million (1997)Malagasy franc (MGF)MGFMalagasy francs per US dollar - 6,656.3 (November 2000), 6,283.8 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996)calendar year Madagascar Communications43,000 (1997)4,000 (1997) system is above average for the region open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)AM 2 (plus 8 repeater stations), FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998)3.05 million (1997)1 (plus 36 repeaters) (1997)325,000 (1997).mg2 (2000)8,000 (2000)883 km883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)49,837 km5,781 km44,056 km (1996)note- of local importance onlyAntsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,819 GRT/34,173 DWTcargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)130 (2000 est.) 29 1 2 5 19 2 (2000 est.) 101 2 56 43 (2000 est.)Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment20 years of agemales age 15-49- 3,640,554 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,159,767 (2001 est.)males- 153,856 (2001 est.)$29 million (FY94)1% (FY94)international- claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroinMalawiEstablished in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year. National multiparty elections were held again in 1999.Southern Africa, east of Zambia13 30 S, 34 00 EAfrica118,480 sq km94,080 sq km24,400 sq kmslightly smaller than Pennsylvaniatotal- 2,881 kmMozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountainsjunction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 mSapitwa 3,002 mlimestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite34%0%20%39%7% (1993 est.)280 sq km (1993 est.)NAdeforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populationsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsLaw of the Sealandlocked10,548,250 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 44.43% (male 2,348,940; female 2,337,290) 52.78% (male 2,741,622; female 2,825,966) 2.79% (male 119,283; female 175,149) (2001 est.)1.5% (2001 est.)37.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)22.81 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)121.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 37.08 years 36.61 years 37.55 years (2001 est.)5.18 children born/woman (2001 est.)15.96% (1999 est.)800,000 (1999 est.)70,000 (1999 est.)Malawian(s)MalawianChewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, EuropeanProtestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefsEnglish (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally age 15 and over can read and write 58% 72.8% 43.4% (1999 est.)Republic of MalawiMalawiBritish Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasalandmultiparty democracyLilongwe24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba; note - there may be three new districts named Balaka, Likoma, and Phalombe6 July 1964 (from UK)Independence Day, 6 July (1964)18 May 1994based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government36-member Cabinet named by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Bakili MULUZI reelected president; percent of vote - Bakili MULUZI (UDF) 51.4%, Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MCP-AFORD) 44.3%unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - UDF 48%, MCP 34%, AFORD 15%, others 3%; seats by party - UDF 94, MCP 66, AFORD 29, others 4Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate s courtsAlliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA, president]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Gwanda CHAKUAMBA, president, John TEMBO, vice president]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA, president]; National Independence Party; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Eston KAKHOME, president]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI] - governing partyNAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Paul Tony Steven KANDIERO 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 797-1007 Ambassador Roger A. MEECE Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi [265] 773 166 [265] 770 471three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band Government - note- the executive exerts considerable influence over the legislature Malawi EconomyLandlocked Malawi ranks among the world s least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 37% of GDP and 85% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. The government faces strong challenges, e.g., to fully develop a market economy, to improve educational facilities, to face up to environmental problems, and to deal with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS.purchasing power parity - $9.4 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $900 (2000 est.)37%29%34% (1998 est.)54% (FY90/91 est.)NA%NA%29.5% (2000)3.5 millionagriculture 86% (1997 est.)NA%$490 million$523 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goodsNA%1.025 billion kWh (1999)2.44%97.56%0% 0% (1999)950 million kWh (1999)3 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats$416 million (f.o.b., 2000)tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood productsSouth Africa 16%, Germany 16%, US 15%, Netherlands 7%, Japan (1999)$435 million (f.o.b., 2000)food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipmentSouth Africa 43%, Zimbabwe 14%, UK 5%, Germany 5%, Zambia, Japan, US (1999)$2.9 billion (2000 est.)$427 million (1999)Malawian kwacha (MWK)MWKMalawian kwachas per US dollar - 80.0946 (December 2000), 59.5438 (2000), 44.0881 (1999), 31.0727 (1998), 16.4442 (1997), 15.3085 (1996)1 July - 30 June Malawi Communications37,000 (1997)7,000 (1997) NA fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)AM 9, FM 4 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 3 (1998)2.6 million (1997)1 (1999)0 (1999).mw8 (2001)10,000 (2000)789 km789 km 1.067-m gauge16,451 km3,126 km13,325 km (1997)144 km note- on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire RiverallChipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba44 (2000 est.) 6 1 1 4 (2000 est.) 38 1 14 23 (2000 est.)Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)males age 15-49- 2,466,708 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,265,893 (2001 est.)$9.5 million (FY00/01)0.76% (FY00/01)international- dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)MalaysiaMalaysia was created in 1963 through the merging of Malaya (independent in 1957) and the former British Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo, which composed East Malaysia. The first three years of independence were marred by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore separated from the union in 1965.Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam2 30 N, 112 30 ESoutheast Asia329,750 sq km328,550 sq km1,200 sq kmslightly larger than New Mexicototal- 2,669 kmBrunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea200 NM12 NMtropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoonscoastal plains rising to hills and mountainsIndian Ocean 0 mGunung Kinabalu 4,100 mtin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite3%12%0%68%17% (1993 est.)2,941 sq km (1998 est.)flooding, landslidesair pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest firesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea22,229,040 (July 2001 est.) 34.5% (male 3,943,324; female 3,724,634) 61.35% (male 6,828,670; female 6,808,623) 4.15% (male 404,042; female 519,747) (2001 est.)1.96% (2001 est.)24.75 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)20.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.11 years 68.48 years 73.92 years (2001 est.)3.24 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.42% (1999 est.)49,000 (1999 est.)1,900 (1999 est.)Malaysian(s)MalaysianMalay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 27%, Indian 8%, others 7% (2000)Islam, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism; note - in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East MalaysiaBahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - in addition, in East Malaysia several indigenous languages are spoken, the largest of which are Iban and Kadazan age 15 and over can read and write 83.5% 89.1% 78.1% (1995 est.)noneMalaysiaFederation of Malaysiaconstitutional monarchy note- Malaya (what is now Peninsular Malaysia) formed 31 August 1957; Federation of Malaysia (Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore) formed 9 July 1963 (Singapore left the federation on 9 August 1965); nominally headed by the paramount ruler and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak, where governors are appointed by the Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of the federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., the right to maintain their own immigration controls); Sabah - holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - holds 28 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal governmentKuala Lumpur13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* note- the city of Kuala Lumpur is located within the federal territory of Wilayah Persekutuan; the terms therefore are not interchangeable; there may be a new federal territory named Putrajaya31 August 1957 (from UK)Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction21 years of age; universalParamount Ruler Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah (since 26 April 1999); Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin ibni A-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah ShahPrime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since 8 January 1999)Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 27 February 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah elected paramount ruler; Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin ibni A-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah elected deputy paramount rulerbicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of nonelected Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 appointed by the state legislatures) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (193 seats; members elected by popular vote weighted toward the rural Malay population to serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 29 November 1999 (next must be held by 20 December 2004) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NF 56%, other 44%; seats by party - NF 148, PAS 27, DAP 10, NJP 5, PBS 3Federal Court (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the advice of the prime minister)Alternative Coalition or Barisan Alternatif-BA (includes the following parties- Party Islam Se-Malaysia or PAS [FADZIL Mohamad Noor], National Justice Party or NJP [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail], Democratic Action Party or DAP [LIM Kit Siang], and Malaysian People s Party or PRM [SYED HUSIN]); National Front or NF (ruling coalition dominated by the United Malays National Organization or UMNO [MAHATHIR bin Mohammad], includes the following parties- Malaysian Indian Congress or MIC [S. Samy VELLU], Malaysian Chinese Association or MCA [LING Liong Sik], Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia or Gerakan [LIM Keng Yaik], Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu or PBB [Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud], Parti Angkatan Keadilan Rakyat Bersatu or Akar [PANDIKAR Amin Mulia], Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak or PBDS [Leo MOGGIE], Sarawak United People s Party or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam], Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [CHONG Kah Kiat], Sabah Progressive Party or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee], People s Progressive Party or PPP [M. KAYVEAS], Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP], Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Amar James WONG], Parti Demokratik Sabah or PDS [leader NA], and United Pasok Momogun Kadazan Organization or UPKO (state level only) [Bernard DOMPOK]); Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Bersekutu [HARRIS Salleh]; State Reform Party of Sarawak or STAR [PATAU Rubis]NAAPEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador GHAZZALI Sheikh Abdul Khalid 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 328-2700 [1] (202) 483-7661 Los Angeles and New York Ambassador B. Lynn PASCOE 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 [60] (3) 2168-5000 [60] (3) 2168-496114 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US Malaysia EconomyGDP grew at 8.6% in 2000, mainly on the strength of double-digit export growth and continued government fiscal stimulus. As an oil exporter, Malaysia also benefited from higher petroleum prices. Higher export revenues allowed the country to register a current account surplus, but foreign exchange reserves have been declining - from a peak of $34.5 billion in April 2000 to $29.7 billion by December - as foreign investors pulled money out of the country. Despite this development, Kuala Lumpur is unlikely to abandon its currency peg soon. An economic slowdown in key Western markets, especially the United States, and lower world demand for electronics products will slow GDP growth to 3%-6% in 2001, according to private forecasters. Over the longer term, Malaysia s failure to make substantial progress on key reforms of the corporate and financial sectors clouds prospects for sustained growth and the return of critical foreign investment.purchasing power parity - $223.7 billion (2000 est.)8.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,300 (2000 est.)14%44%42% (2000)6.8% (1997 est.)1.4%20.4% (1997 est.)1.7% (2000)9.6 million (2000 est.)local trade and tourism 28%, manufacturing 27%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 16%, services 10%, government 10%, construction 9% (2000 est.)2.8% (2000 est.)$16.4 billion$17.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $43 billion (2000 est.)Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging12.1% (2000 est.)59.044 billion kWh (1999)91.61%8.39%0% 0% (1999)54.872 billion kWh (1999)50 million kWh (1999)11 million kWh (1999)Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper; timber$97.9 billion (2000 est.)electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, chemicals, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textilesUS 21%, Singapore 18%, Japan 13%, Hong Kong 5%, Netherlands 4%, Taiwan 4%, Thailand 3% (2000 est.)$82.6 billion (2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food, fuel and lubricantsJapan 21%, US 17%, Singapore 14%, Taiwan 6%, South Korea 5%, Thailand 4%, China 4% (2000 est.)$41.8 billion (2000 est.)ringgit (MYR)MYRringgits per US dollar - 3.8000 (January 2001), 3.8000 (2000), 3.8000 (1999), 3.9244 (1998), 2.8133 (1997), 2.5159 (1996)calendar year Malaysia Communications4.5 million (1999)2.698 million (1999) modern system; international service excellent good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations submarine cables to India, Hong Kong, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2001)AM 56, FM 31 (plus 13 repeater stations), shortwave 5 (1999)10.9 million (1999)27 (plus 15 high-power repeaters) (1999)10.8 million (1999).my7 (2000)1.5 million (2000)1,801 km1,801 km 1.000-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2000)64,672 km48,707 km (including 1,192 km of expressways)15,965 km note- in addition to these national and main regional roads, Malaysia has thousands of kilometers of local roads that are maintained by local jurisdictions (1999)7,296 km note- Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km, Sarawak 2,518 kmcrude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 kmBintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjung Berhala, Tanjung Kidurong, Tawau362 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,103,657 GRT/7,574,999 DWTbulk 62, cargo 110, chemical tanker 35, container 60, liquefied gas 20, livestock carrier 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 6 (2000 est.)115 (2000 est.) 33 5 4 11 6 7 (2000 est.) 82 1 8 73 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts21 years of agemales age 15-49- 5,800,456 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,514,023 (2001 est.)males- 196,042 (2001 est.)$1.69 billion (FY00 est.)2.03% (FY00)international- involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State; Pulau Batu Putih (Pedra Branca Island) disputed with Singapore; Sipadan and Ligitan Islands in dispute with Indonesiatransit point for some illicit drugs; drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penaltiesMaldivesThe Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India3 15 N, 73 00 EAsia300 sq km300 sq km0 sq kmabout 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC0 km644 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines24 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)flat, with white sandy beachesIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 mfish10%0%3%3%84% (1993 est.)NA sq kmlow level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level risedepletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleachingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreements1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean310,764 (July 2001 est.) 45.63% (male 72,920; female 68,895) 51.37% (male 81,506; female 78,149) 3% (male 4,806; female 4,488) (2001 est.)3.01% (2001 est.)38.15 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.09 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)63.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 62.56 years 61.39 years 63.8 years (2001 est.)5.5 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.05% (1999 est.)NANAMaldivian(s)MaldivianSouth Indians, Sinhalese, ArabsSunni MuslimMaldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials age 15 and over can read and write 93.2% 93.3% 93% (1995 est.)Republic of MaldivesMaldivesDhivehi Raajjeyge JumhooriyyaaDhivehi RaajjerepublicMale19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu26 July 1965 (from UK)Independence Day, 26 July (1965)adopted January 1998based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction21 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesPresident Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentappointed by the president; note - need not be members of Majlis president nominated by the Majlis and then that nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003) President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.9%unicameral People s Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) last held 20 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2004) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 42High Courtalthough political parties are not banned, none existnoneAsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrOred with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag Maldives EconomyTourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Almost 400,000 tourists visited the islands in 1998. Fishing is a second leading sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level.purchasing power parity - $594 million (2000 est.)7.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)20%18%62% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%3% (2000 est.)67,000 (1995)agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995)NEGL%$166 million (excluding foreign grants)$192 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (1999 est.)fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining4.4% (1996 est.)101 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)93.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish$88 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)fish, clothingUS, UK, Sri Lanka, Japan$372 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum productsSingapore, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Canada$237 million (2000 est.)$NArufiyaa (MVR)MVRrufiyaa per US dollar - 11.770 (fixed rate since 1995)calendar year Maldives Communications21,000 (1999)1,290 (1997) minimal domestic and international facilities interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)35,000 (1999)1 (1997)10,000 (1999).mv1 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 kmNA kmNA kmNA km; note - Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city (1988 est.)noneGan, Male17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 58,604 GRT/81,451 DWTcargo 16, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)5 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 3 (2000 est.)National Security Servicemales age 15-49- 71,856 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 40,006 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- noneMaliThe Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government, and in 1992 when Mali s first democratic presidential election was held. Since his reelection in 1997, President KONARE has continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In 1999 he indicated he would not run for a third term.Western Africa, southwest of Algeria17 00 N, 4 00 WAfrica1.24 million sq km1.22 million sq km20,000 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Texastotal- 7,243 kmAlgeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to Februarymostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeastSenegal River 23 mHombori Tondo 1,155 mgold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, hydropower note- bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited2%0%25%6%67% (1993 est.)780 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughtsdeforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poachingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Banlandlocked11,008,518 (July 2001 est.) 47.2% (male 2,612,215; female 2,583,370) 49.73% (male 2,610,142; female 2,864,127) 3.07% (male 158,486; female 180,178) (2001 est.)2.97% (2001 est.)48.79 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)18.71 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)121.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 47.02 years 45.84 years 48.24 years (2001 est.)6.81 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.03% (1999 est.)100,000 (1999 est.)9,900 (1999 est.)Malian(s)MalianMande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages age 15 and over can read and write 31% 39.4% 23.1% (1995 est.)Republic of MaliMaliRepublique de MaliMaliFrench Sudan and Sudanese RepublicrepublicBamako8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou22 September 1960 (from France)Independence Day, 22 September (1960)adopted 12 January 1992based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction21 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992)Prime Minister Mande SIDIBE (since September 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 2002); prime minister appointed by the president Alpha Oumar KONARE reelected president; percent of vote - Alpha Oumar KONARE 95.9%, Mamadou DIABY 4.1%unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 20 July and 3 August 1997 (next to be held in two rounds in 2002); note - much of the opposition boycotted the election percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ADEMA 130, PARENA 8, CDS 4, UDD 3, PDP 2Supreme Court or Cour SupremeAlliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA, party chairman]; Block of Alternative for the Renewal of Africa or BARA [Yoro DIAKITE]; Democratic and Social Convention or CDS [Mamadou Bakary SANGARE, chairman]; Movement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA [Mohamed Lamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL, chairman]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Me Idrissa TRAORE]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Yoro DIAKITE, chairman; Tiebile DRAME, secretary general]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Ali GNANGADO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Almamy SYLLA, chairman]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Bamou TOURE, secretary general]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progress or UFDP [Youssouf TOURE, secretary general]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 [1] (202) 332-6603 Ambassador Michael RANNEBERGER Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako B. P. 34, Bamako [223] 22 54 70 [223] 22 37 12three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Mali EconomyMali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali s adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2000. Growth should remain around 5% in 2001-02, and inflation should stay less than 2%.purchasing power parity - $9.1 billion (2000 est.)4.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $850 (2000 est.)46%21%33% (1998)NA%1.8%40.4% (1994)0.8% (2000 est.)NAagriculture and fishing 80% (1998 est.)NA%$730 million$770 million, including capital expenditures of $320 million (1997 est.)minor local consumer goods production and food processing; construction; phosphate and gold miningNA445 million kWh (1999)44.94%55.06%0% 0% (1999)413.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats$480 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cotton 50%, gold, livestock (1999 est.)Italy 18%, Thailand 15%, Germany 7%, Portugal 4% (1999)$575 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, construction materials, petroleum, foodstuffs, textilesCote d Ivoire 19%, France 19%, Senegal 4%, Benelux 3% (1999)$3 billion (1999)$596.4 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African StatesXOFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per eurocalendar year Mali Communications23,000 (1997)2,842 (1997) domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 7 (1998)570,000 (1997)1 (plus two repeaters) (1997)45,000 (1997).ml1 (2000)10,000 (2000)729 km (linked to Senegal s rail system through Kayes)729 km 1.000-m gauge15,100 km1,827 km13,273 km (1996)1,815 kmKoulikoro27 (2000 est.) 7 4 1 2 (2000 est.) 20 4 7 9 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)males age 15-49- 2,284,632 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,309,612 (2001 est.)$49 million (FY96)2% (FY96)international- noneMaltaGreat Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Over the last 15 years, the island has become a major freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership.Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)35 50 N, 14 35 EEurope316 sq km316 sq km0 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC0 km196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone- 25 NM12 NMMediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summersmostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffsMediterranean Sea 0 mTa Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)limestone, salt, arable land32%3%0%4%61% (2000 est.)11.45 sq km (2000 est.)NAvery limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalinationAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolthe country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration394,583 (July 2001 est.) 19.98% (male 40,791; female 38,062) 67.49% (male 133,914; female 132,402) 12.53% (male 20,643; female 28,771) (2001 est.)0.74% (2001 est.)12.75 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.09 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.1 years 75.64 years 80.79 years (2001 est.)1.92 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.52% (1999 est.)NAless than 100 (1999 est.)Maltese (singular and plural)MalteseMaltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)Roman Catholic 91%Maltese (official), English (official) age 10 and over can read and write 88.76% 86.91% 89.55% (1995 census)Republic of MaltaMaltaRepubblika ta MaltaMaltarepublicVallettanone (administered directly from Valletta)21 September 1964 (from UK)Independence Day, 21 September (1964)1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999)Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZE (since 4 April 1999)Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1999 (next to be held by NA April 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54%unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) last held 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September 2003) percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD 1.2%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 30Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime ministerAlternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI]NAC, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador George SALIBA 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s)- New York Ambassador George SALIBA 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01 P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR 01 [356] 235960 through 235965 [356] 243229two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the Saint George Cross, edged in red Malta EconomyMajor resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. However, the island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit remains a key concern.purchasing power parity - $5.6 billion (2000 est.)3.4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $14,300 (2000 est.)2.8%25.5%71.7% (1999)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (2000 est.)145,901 (1999)industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.)4.5% (3rd Quarter 2000)$1.6 billion$1.73 billion, including capital expenditures of $265.4 million (1999)tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobaccoNA%1.65 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.534 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs$2 billion (f.o.b., 1999)machinery and transport equipment, manufacturesUS 21.4%, France 15.2%, Germany 12.6%, UK 9.3%, Italy 4.9% (1999)$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobaccoFrance 19.1%, Italy 16.7%, UK 10.9%, Germany 10.0%, US 8.5% (1999)$130 million (1997)$NAMaltese lira (MTL)MTLMaltese liri per US dollar - 0.4370 (January 2001), 0.4376 (2000), 0.3994 (1999), 0.3885 (1998), 0.3857 (1997), 0.3604 (1996)1 April - 31 March Malta Communications187,000 (1997)17,691 (1997) automatic system satisfies normal requirements submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)255,000 (1997)6 (2000)280,000 (1997).mt2 (2000)40,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,742 km1,677 km65 km (1997)noneMarsaxlokk, Valletta1,414 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 28,191,090 GRT/46,773,603 DWTbulk 443, cargo 394, chemical tanker 48, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 14, container 69, liquefied gas 2, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 296, refrigerated cargo 37, roll on/roll off 50, short-sea passenger 15, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 18 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Argentina 1, Bermuda 1, Belgium 1, Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 11, China 7, Costa Rica 1, Cuba 2, Cyprus 15, Denmark 1, Estonia 2, Finland 1, Germany 23, Greece 258, Hong Kong 3, Croatia 9, Hungary 1, India 2, Israel 2, Italy 17, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Latvia 2, Lithuania 1, Monaco 14, Nigeria 1, Netherlands 10, Norway 31, Poland 8, Romania 3, Russia 39, Singapore 6, Spain 3, Sweden 3, Syria 1, Switzerland 25, UAE 2, Turkey 24, UK 8, Ukraine 9, US 9, Venezuela 1, Vietnam 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Armed Forces (including land forces, an air squadron, a maritime squadron, and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Forcemales age 15-49- 98,953 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 78,783 (2001 est.)$201 million (FY98)5.5% (FY98)international- noneminor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western EuropeMan, Isle ofPart 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 Celtic language.Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland54 15 N, 4 30 WEurope572 sq km572 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC0 km160 kmexclusive fishing zone- 12 NM12 NMcool summers and mild winters; temperate; overcast about one-third of the timehills in north and south bisected by central valleyIrish Sea 0 mSnaefell 621 mnone9%0%46%6%39% (includes 25% mountain and heathland)0 sq kmNAwaste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollutionone small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary73,489 (July 2001 est.) 17.51% (male 6,562; female 6,306) 65.19% (male 24,061; female 23,845) 17.3% (male 5,076; female 7,639) (2001 est.)0.52% (2001 est.)11.58 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)11.84 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.64 years 74.26 years 81.2 years (2001 est.)1.65 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAManxman (men), Manxwoman (women)ManxManx (Norse-Celtic descent), BritonAnglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of FriendsEnglish, Manx Gaelic NA NA% NA% NA%noneIsle of ManBritish crown dependencyparliamentary democracyDouglasthere are 24 local authorities each with its own electionsnone (British crown dependency)Tynwald Day, 5 Julyunwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act, 1961, does not embody the Manx ConstitutionEnglish common law and Manx statute18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 12 NMLord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Sir Timothy DAUNT (since 27 October 1995)Chief Minister Donald GELLING (since 3 December 1996)Council of Ministers the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is elected by the Tynwald; election last held 3 December 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) Donald GELLING elected chief minister by the Tynwaldbicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (a 11-member body 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) House of Keys - last held 21 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2001) House of Keys - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 24High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor)there is no party system; members sit as independentsnonenonered with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used Man, Isle of EconomyOffshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government s policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Banking and other services now contribute 42% to GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets.purchasing power parity - $1.4 billion (1999 est.)13.5% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $18,800 (1999 est.)1%9%90% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (2000 est.)36,610 (1998)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%0.6% (August 2000)$485 million$463 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.)financial services, light manufacturing, tourism3.2% (FY96/97)cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry$NAtweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lambUK$NAtimber, fertilizers, fishUK$NA$NABritish pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx poundGBPManx pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound1 April - 31 March Man, Isle of Communications51,000 (1999)NA NA landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cableAM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)NA0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999)27,490 (1999).imNANA68.5 km (43.5 km electrified)800 km800 km0 km (1999)noneCastletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey157 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,917,402 GRT/8,333,858 DWTbulk 27, cargo 13, chemical tanker 11, combination bulk 3, container 20, liquefied gas 13, petroleum tanker 43, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 18, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Belgium 1, Denmark 1, Germany 1, Netherlands 1, Sweden 1, UK 3 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- noneMarshall IslandsAfter almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the islands between 1947 and 1962.Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea9 00 N, 168 00 EOceania181.3 sq km181.3 sq km0 sq km note- includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, and Kwajaleinabout the size of Washington, DC0 km370.4 km24 NM200 NM12 NMwet season from May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon beltlow coral limestone and sand islandsPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location on Likiep 10 mphosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals0%60%0%0%40%NA sq kmoccasional typhoonsinadequate supplies of potable waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionClimate Change-Kyoto Protocoltwo archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range70,822 (July 2001 est.) 49.29% (male 17,808; female 17,101) 48.61% (male 17,573; female 16,853) 2.1% (male 707; female 780) (2001 est.)3.88% (2001 est.)45.07 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.23 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2001 est.)39.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 65.84 years 64.04 years 67.73 years (2001 est.)6.55 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAMarshallese (singular and plural)MarshalleseMicronesianChristian (mostly Protestant)English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese age 15 and over can read and write 93% 100% 88% (1980 est.)Republic of the Marshall IslandsMarshall IslandsMarshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986Majuro33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)1 May 1979based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws18 years of age; universalPresident Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100%unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note- the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practiceSupreme Court; High Courttraditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]NAACP, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Ambassador Banny DE BRUM 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-5414 [1] (202) 232-3236 Honolulu Ambassador Joan M. PLAISTED Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 [692] 247-4011 [692] 247-4012blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes Marshall Islands EconomyUS Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provides roughly $65 million in annual aid. Negotiations were underway in 1999 for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, and the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties caused GDP to fall in 1996-98.purchasing power parity - $105 million (1998 est.), supplemented by approximately $65 million annual US aid-5% (1998 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,670 (1998 est.)15%13%72% (1995)NA%NA%NA%5% (1997)NAagriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%16% (1991 est.)$80.1 million$77.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5 million (FY95/96 est.)copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls, offshore banking (embryonic)NA%NA%NA%NA% NA%coconuts, tomatoes, melons, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens$28 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)fish, coconut oil, trochus shellsUS, Japan, Australia$58 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobaccoUS, Japan, Australia, NZ, Guam, Singapore$125 million (FY96/97 est.)approximately $65 million annually from the USUS dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 October - 30 September Marshall Islands Communications3,000 (1996)365 (1996) telex services Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on KwajaleinAM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)NA3 (of which two are US military stations) (1997)NA.mh1 (2000)500 (2000) Railways- 0 kmNA kmNA kmNA km note- paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracksnoneMajuro212 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,768,406 GRT/16,242,699 DWTbulk 63, cargo 9, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 29, liquefied gas 10, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 87, vehicle carrier 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1, US 6 (2000 est.)16 (2000 est.) 4 3 1 (2000 est.) 12 9 3 (2000 est.)no regular military forces (a coast guard may be established); Police Force$NANA% Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- claims US territory of Wake IslandMartiniqueColonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation.Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago14 40 N, 61 00 WCentral America and the Caribbean1,100 sq km1,060 sq km40 sq kmslightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC0 km350 km200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humidmountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcanoCaribbean Sea 0 mMontagne Pelee 1,397 mcoastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land8%8%17%44%23% (1993 est.)40 sq km (1993 est.)hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)NA418,454 (July 2001 est.) 23.1% (male 49,016; female 47,653) 66.77% (male 139,106; female 140,291) 10.13% (male 18,893; female 23,495) (2001 est.)0.93% (2001 est.)15.76 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.39 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.41 years 79.11 years 77.69 years (2001 est.)1.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAMartiniquais (singular and plural)MartiniquaisAfrican and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Chinese less than 5%Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%French, Creole patois age 15 and over can read and write 93% 92% 93% (1982 est.)Department of MartiniqueMartiniqueDepartement de la MartiniqueMartiniqueoverseas department of FranceNAFort-de-Francenone (overseas department of France)none (overseas department of France)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)French legal system18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995); Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA)President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998)NA French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councilsunicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Assembly - last held on 15 March 1998 (next to be held by March 2004) General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - the PPM won a plurality; Regional Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR-UDF 14, MIM 13, PPM 7, left parties 4, PMS 3 note- Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1998 (next to be held September 2001); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPM 2; Martinique also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1, independent 1Court of Appeal or Cour d AppelMartinique Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE]; Martinique Progressive Party or PPM [Camille DARSIERES]; Martinique Socialist Party or PMS [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michel CHARLONE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF (replaced by Martinique Forces of Progress) [Jean MAREN]Association for the Protection of Martinique s Heritage (ecologist) [Garcin MALSA]; Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP; Socialist Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]FZ, WCL, WFTUa light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions Martinique EconomyThe economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration.purchasing power parity - $4.39 billion (1997 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $11,000 (1997 est.)6%11%83% (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%3.9% (1990)170,000 (1997)agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997)27.2% (1998)$900 million$2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $140 million (1996)construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourismNA%1.1 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.023 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane$250 million (f.o.b., 1997)refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapplesFrance 45%, Guadeloupe 28% (1997)$2 billion (c.i.f., 1997)petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goodsFrance 62%, Venezuela 6%, Germany 4%, Italy 4%, US 3% (1997)$180 million (1994)$NA; note - substantial annual aid from FranceFrench franc (FRF); euro (EUR)FRF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year Martinique Communications170,000 (1997)15,000 (1997) domestic facilities are adequate NA microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 0, FM 14, shortwave 0 (1998)82,000 (1997)11 (plus nine repeaters) (1997)66,000 (1997).mq2 (2000)5,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km2,105 km (2000)NA kmNA kmnoneFort-de-France, La Trinite Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- nonetransshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and EuropeMauritaniaIndependent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as being flawed; Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara20 00 N, 12 00 WAfrica1,030,700 sq km1,030,400 sq km300 sq kmslightly larger than three times the size of New Mexicototal- 5,074 kmAlgeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km754 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMdesert; constantly hot, dry, dustymostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hillsSebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 mKediet Ijill 910 miron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold0%0%38%4%58% (1993 est.)490 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughtsovergrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial riverBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsmost of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country2,747,312 (July 2001 est.) 46.14% (male 634,940; female 632,654) 51.59% (male 698,433; female 718,883) 2.27% (male 25,840; female 36,562) (2001 est.)2.93% (2001 est.)42.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)76.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 51.14 years 49.06 years 53.29 years (2001 est.)6.22 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.8% (2000 est.)6,600 (1999 est.)610 (1999 est.)Mauritanian(s)Mauritanianmixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%Muslim 100%Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official), French age 15 and over can read and write 46.7% 53.4% 40% (1998 est.)Islamic Republic of MauritaniaMauritaniaAl Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al MuritaniyahMuritaniyahrepublicNouakchott12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza28 November 1960 (from France)Independence Day, 28 November (1960)12 July 1991a combination of Shari a (Islamic law) and French civil law18 years of age; universalPresident Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)Prime Minister Cheik El Avia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since 17 November 1998)Council of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2003); prime minister appointed by the president President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90.9% of the votebicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held 17 April 1998 (next to be held NA 2001); National Assembly - last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courtsAction for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Assembly for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MOLOUD]; Union for Progress and Democracy or UNDD [Naha Mint MOUKNASS] note- parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991; however, politics continue to be tribally basedArab nationalists; Ba athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Ahmed Ben Khalifa BEN JIDOU 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-5700 [1] (202) 319-2623 Ambassador John W. LIMBERT Rue Abdallaye, Nouakchott B. P. 222, Nouakchott [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63 [222] 25-15-92green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Mauritania EconomyA majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for half of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation s coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country s first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF). Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000. Privatization and debt relief are in full swing, and the rate of economic growth appears to be accelerating, especially in the construction, telecommunication, and information sectors. Diamonds and petroleum are beginning to be explored and exploited.purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)25%31%44% (1997)50% (1996 est.)2.3%29.9% (1995)4.5% (2000 est.)750,000 (1999)agriculture 47%, services 39%, industry 14%23% (1995 est.)$329 million$265 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum2.2% (1999)151 million kWh (1999)82.78%17.22%0% 0% (1999)140.4 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep$333 million (f.o.b., 1999)iron ore, fish and fish products, goldJapan 18%, France 17%, Italy 16%, Spain 11% (1998)$305 million (f.o.b., 1999)machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goodsFrance 27%, Benelux 9%, Germany 7%, Spain 7% (1998)$2.1 billion (1999)$300 million (1998)ouguiya (MRO)MROouguiyas per US dollar - 250.870 (December 2000), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996)calendar year Mauritania Communications26,000 (2000)NA limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made) mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 ArabsatAM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)360,000 (1997)1 (1997)87,000 (1998).mr5 (2000)3,500 (2000)750 km (single track); note - owned and operated by government mining company750 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)7,660 km866 km6,794 km (1996)note- ferry traffic on the Senegal RiverBogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)26 (2000 est.) 8 3 5 (2000 est.) 18 2 4 9 3 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guardmales age 15-49- 624,375 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 302,699 (2001 est.)$41 million (FY97/98)2.7% (FY97/98)international- noneMauritiusDiscovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa s highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community.Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar20 17 S, 57 33 EWorld1,860 sq km1,850 sq km10 sq km note- includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodriguesalmost 11 times the size of Washington, DC0 km177 km200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateauIndian Ocean 0 mMont Piton 828 marable land, fish49%3%3%22%23% (1993 est.)170 sq km (1993 est.)cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazardswater pollution, degradation of coral reefsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionnone of the selected agreements1,189,825 (July 2001 est.) 25.53% (male 153,691; female 150,094) 68.24% (male 404,940; female 407,056) 6.23% (male 29,588; female 44,456) (2001 est.)0.88% (2001 est.)16.5 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.82 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)17.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.25 years 67.26 years 75.31 years (2001 est.)2.01 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.08% (1999 est.)NANAMauritian(s)MauritianIndo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori age 15 and over can read and write 82.9% 87.1% 78.8% (1995 est.)Republic of MauritiusMauritiusparliamentary democracyPort Louis9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne12 March 1968 (from UK)Independence Day, 12 March (1968)12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas18 years of age; universalPresident Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992) and Vice President Angidi Verriah CHETTIAR (since 28 June 1997)Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 17 September 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 17 September 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 28 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president and are responsible to the National Assembly Cassam UTEEM reelected president and Angidi Verriah CHETTIAR elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%unicameral National Assembly (66 seats - 62 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the election commission from the losing political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members serve five-year terms) last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held by September 2005) percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD 36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2Supreme CourtHizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Militant Renaissance or MMR [Dr. Paramhansa NABABSING]; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues Movement or OPR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]various labor unionsACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Usha JEETAH Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492 [1] (202) 966-0983 Ambassador Mark W. ERWIN 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis international mail- P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail- American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450 [230] 208-2347, 208-2354, 208-9763 through 9767 [230] 208-9534four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green Mauritius EconomySince independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The government s development strategy centers on foreign investment. Mauritius has attracted more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Economic performance since 1991 has continued strong with solid growth and low unemployment.purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2000 est.)7.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,400 (2000 est.)10%29%61% (1996)10.6% (1992 est.)NA%NA%5.3% (2000 est.)514,000 (1995)construction and industry 36%, services 24%, agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, transportation and communication 7%, finance 3% (1995)6.4% (1999 est.)$1.1 billion$1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism8% (2000 est.)1.26 billion kWh (1999)91.27%8.73%0% 0% (1999)1.172 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molassesUK 32%, France 19%, US 15%, Germany 6%, Italy 4% (1999 est.)$2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1999)manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals (1996)France 14%, South Africa 11%, India 8%, UK 5% (1999 est.)$1.9 billion (1998 est.)$42 million (1997)Mauritian rupee (MUR)MURMauritian rupees per US dollar - 27.900 (January 2001), 26.250 (2000), 25.186 (1999), 22.993 (1998), 21.057 (1997), 17.948 (1996)1 July - 30 June Mauritius Communications223,000 (1997)37,000 (1997) small system with good service primarily microwave radio relay satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countriesAM 5, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1998)420,000 (1997)2 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997)258,000 (1997).mu2 (2000)55,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,910 km1,834 km (including 36 km of expressways)76 km (1998)nonePort Louis9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 61,909 GRT/87,313 DWTcargo 2, combination bulk 2, container 2, liquefied gas 1, refrigerated cargo 2 note- includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience- India 1 (2000 est.)5 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.)National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile Force or SMF and National Coast Guard)males age 15-49- 339,473 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 171,206 (2001 est.)$11 million (FY97/98)0.3% (FY97/98)international- claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory); claims French-administered Tromelin Islandminor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locallyMayotteMayotte was ceded to France along with the other Comoros in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forgo independence.Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique12 50 S, 45 10 EAfrica374 sq km374 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC0 km185.2 km200 NM12 NMtropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaksIndian Ocean 0 mBenara 660 mNEGLNA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA sq kmcyclones during rainy seasonNApart of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands163,366 (July 2001 est.) 46.59% (male 38,188; female 37,920) 51.73% (male 46,132; female 38,378) 1.68% (male 1,361; female 1,387) (2001 est.)4.58% (2001 est.)44.39 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.84 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.2 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)69.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 59.83 years 57.77 years 61.96 years (2001 est.)6.24 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAMahorais (singular and plural)MahoranNAMuslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic)Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population NA NA% NA% NA%Territorial Collectivity of MayotteMayotteterritorial collectivity of FranceNAMamoutzounone (territorial collectivity of France)none (territorial collectivity of France)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)French law18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Pierre BAYLE (since 15 July 1998)President of the General Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1977)NA French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year termunicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) last held 7 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note- Mayotte elects one member of the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 1995 (next to be held 24 September 2001); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPM 1; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May and 1 June 1997 (next to be held as a special election on NA May 2002); results - percent of vote by party - UDF/FD 51.7%, RPR 48.3%; seats by party - UDF/FD 1Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d AppelDemocratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM [Younoussa BAMANA]; Mahoran Rally for the Republic or RPR [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or MDM [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Socialist Party or PS (local branch of French Parti Socialiste) [Ibrahim ABUBACAR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE]NAFZthe flag of France is used Mayotte EconomyEconomic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte s remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism.purchasing power parity - $85 million (1998 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $600 (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA45% (1997)$NA$73 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)newly created lobster and shrimp industry, constructionNA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhvanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra$3.44 million (f.o.b., 1997)ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee, cinnamonFrance 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion$141.3 million (f.o.b., 1997)food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals, chemicalsFrance 66%, Africa 14%, Southeast Asia 11% (1997)$NA$107.7 million (1995); note - extensive French financial assistanceFrench franc (FRF); euro (EUR)FRF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year Mayotte Communications9,314 (1997)0 (2000) small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications NA microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros and other international connectionsAM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)NA3 (1997)3,500 (1994).ytNANA Railways- 0 km93 km72 km21 kmnoneDzaoudzi Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of France; small contingent of French forces stationed on the islandinternational- claimed by ComorosMexicoThe site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states.Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US23 00 N, 102 00 WNorth America1,972,550 sq km1,923,040 sq km49,510 sq kmslightly less than three times the size of Texastotal- 4,538 kmBelize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km9,330 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMvaries from tropical to deserthigh, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desertLaguna Salada -10 mVolcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 mpetroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber12%1%39%26%22% (1993 est.)61,000 sq km (1993 est.)tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coastsnatural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; serious air pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico borderBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingnone of the selected agreementsstrategic location on southern border of US101,879,171 (July 2001 est.) 33.32% (male 17,312,220; female 16,635,438) 62.28% (male 30,888,015; female 32,558,359) 4.4% (male 1,997,219; female 2,487,920) (2001 est.)1.5% (2001 est.)22.77 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)25.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.76 years 68.73 years 74.93 years (2001 est.)2.62 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.29% (1999 est.)150,000 (1999 est.)4,700 (1999 est.)Mexican(s)Mexicanmestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1%nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages age 15 and over can read and write 89.6% 91.8% 87.4% (1995 est.)United Mexican StatesMexicoEstados Unidos MexicanosMexicofederal republicMexico31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacatecas16 September 1810 (from Spain)Independence Day, 16 September (1810)5 February 1917mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced)President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of attorney general requires consent of the Senate president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2006) Vicente FOX Quesada elected president; percent of vote - Vicente FOX Quesada (PAN) 42.52%, Francisco LABASTIDA Ochoa (PRI) 36.1%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 16.64%, other 4.74%bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 are allocated on the basis of each party s popular vote) and the Federal Chamber of Deputies or Camara Federal de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are directly elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; remaining 200 members are allocated on the basis of each party s popular vote, also for three-year terms) Senate - last held 2 July 2000 for all of the seats (next to be held NA 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 59, PAN 45, PRD 17, PVEM 5, PT 1, PCD 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 211, PAN 208, PRD 50, PVEM 16, PT 7, PCD 3, PSN 3, PAS 2Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the president with consent of the Senate)Convergence for Democracy or CD [Dante DELGADO Ranauro]; Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI [Dulce Maria SAURI Riancho]; Mexican Green Ecological Party or PVEM [Jorge GONZALEZ Torres]; National Action Party or PAN [Luis Felipe BRAVO Mena]; Party of the Democratic Center or PCD [Manuel CAMACHO Solis]; Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD [Amalia GARCIA Medina]; Party of the Nationalist Society or PSN [Gustavo RIOJAIS Santana]; Social Alliance Party or PAS [Jose Antonio CALDERON Cardoso]; Workers Party or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez]Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN; Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC; National Union of Workers or UNT; Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers or CROM; Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants or CROC; Roman Catholic ChurchAPEC, BCIE, BIS, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, CE (observer), EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Juan Jose BREMER Martino 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 [1] (202) 728-1600 [1] (202) 728-1698 Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s)- Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), McAllen (Texas), Midland (Texas), Orlando, Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, San Jose, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson Ambassador Jeffery DAVIDOW Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, Distrito Federal P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044-3087 [52] (5) 209-9100 [52] (5) 208-3373, 511-9980 Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana consulate(s)- Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo, Nogalesthree equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centered in the white band Mexico EconomyMexico has a free market economy with a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. The number of state-owned enterprises in Mexico has fallen from more than 1,000 in 1982 to fewer than 200 in 2000. The ZEDILLO administration privatized and expanded competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity, natural gas distribution, and airports. A strong export sector helped to cushion the economy s decline in 1995 and led the recovery in 1996-2000. Private consumption became the leading driver of growth in 2000, accompanied by increased employment and higher real wages. Mexico still needs to overcome many structural problems as it strives to modernize its economy and raise living standards. Income distribution is very unequal, with the top 20% of income earners accounting for 55% of income. Trade with the US and Canada has tripled since NAFTA was implemented in 1994. Mexico completed free trade agreements with the EU, Israel, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala in 2000, and is pursuing additional trade agreements with countries in Latin America and Asia to lessen its dependence on the US.purchasing power parity - $915 billion (2000 est.)7.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $9,100 (2000 est.)5%27%68% (2000)27% (1998 est.)1.8%36.6% (1996)9% (2000 est.)39.8 million (2000)agriculture 20%, industry 24%, services 56% (1998)urban - 2.2% (2000); plus considerable underemployment$125 billion$130 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism7.5% (2000 est.)182.492 billion kWh (1999)74.12%17.75%5.21% 2.92% (1999)170.754 billion kWh (1999)11 million kWh (1999)1.047 billion kWh (1999)corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products$168 billion (f.o.b., 2000), includes in-bond industries (assembly plant operations)manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cottonUS 88.6%, Canada 2%, Spain 0.9%, Germany 0.9%, Japan 0.6%, UK 0.6%, Netherlands Antilles 0.5%, Switzerland 0.3% Venezuela 0.3%, Chile 0.3% (2000 est.)$176 billion (f.o.b., 2000), includes in-bond industries (assembly plant operations)metal-working machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft partsUS 73.6%, Japan 3.7%, Germany 3.3%, Canada 2.3%, South Korea 2%, China 1.6%, Taiwan 1.2%, Italy 1%, Brazil 1% (2000 est.)$162 billion (2000)$1.166 billion (1995)Mexican peso (MXN)MXNMexican pesos per US dollar - 9.7701 (January 2001), 9.4556 (2000), 9.5604 (1999), 9.1360 (1998), 7.9185 (1997), 7.5994 (1996)calendar year Mexico Communications9.6 million (1998)2.02 million (1998) low telephone density with about 11 main lines per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; the opening to competition in January 1997 has brightened prospects for development adequate telephone service for business and government, but the population is poorly served; domestic satellite system with 120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network; considerable use of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, and mobile cellular service satellite earth stations - 32 Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications), numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations; linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections; high capacity Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Italy (1997)AM 865, FM about 500, shortwave 13 (1999)31 million (1997)236 (plus repeaters) (1997)25.6 million (1997).mx51 (2000)2.5 million (2000)31,048 km30,958 km 1.435-m gauge (246 km electrified)90 km 0.914-m gauge (1998 est.)323,977 km96,221 km (including 6,335 km of expressways)227,756 km (1997)2,900 km note- navigable rivers and coastal canalscrude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 kmAcapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, La Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 590,657 GRT/920,456 DWTbulk 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 28, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 3 (2000 est.)1,848 (2000 est.) 238 11 28 90 82 27 (2000 est.) 1,610 1 1 65 470 1,073 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)National Defense Secretariat (includes Army and Air Force), Navy Secretariat (includes Naval Air and Naval Infantry)18 years of age note- starting in 2000, females will be allowed to volunteer for military servicemales age 15-49- 26,703,300 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 19,394,184 (2001 est.)males- 1,077,536 (2001 est.)$4 billion (FY99)1% (FY99)international- noneillicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in 2000 - 1,900 hectares; potential heroin production - 2.4 metric tons) and cannabis cultivation in 2000 - 3,900 hectares; government eradication efforts have been key in keeping illicit crop levels low; major supplier of heroin and marijuana to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America; two major drug syndicates control majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; primary supplier of methamphetamine to the US market; growing producer and distributor of ecstasyMicronesia, Federated States ofIn 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia6 55 N, 158 15 EOceania702 sq km702 sq km0 sq km note- includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosraefour times the size of Washington, DC0 km6,112 km200 NM12 NMtropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damageislands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and TrukPacific Ocean 0 mTotolom 791 mforests, marine products, deep-seabed mineralsNA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA sq kmtyphoons (June to December)overfishingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementsfour major island groups totaling 607 islands134,597 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%NA%NANAMicronesian(s)Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapesenine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groupsRoman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other and none 3%English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean age 15 and over can read and write 89% 91% 88% (1980 est.)Federated States of MicronesianonePonape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) abbreviation- FSMconstitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986Palikir4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)10 May 1979based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws18 years of age; universalPresident Leo A. FALCAM (since 21 July 1999); Vice President Redley KILLION (since 21 July 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Leo A. FALCAM (since 21 July 1999); Vice President Redley KILLION (since 21 July 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators-at-large for four-year terms; election last held NA May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2003) Leo A. FALCAM elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA%unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each of state - to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population - to serve two-year terms) elections for four-year term seats last held 2 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003); elections for two-year term seats last held 6 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2003) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14Supreme Courtno formal partiesACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 223-4383 [1] (202) 223-4391 Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam) Ambassador Diane E. WATSON address NA, Kolonia P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 [691] 320-2187 [691] 320-2186light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Micronesia, Federated States of EconomyEconomic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development. In 1996, the country experienced a 20% reduction in revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement between the US and Micronesia in which Micronesia receives $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001 - as a result of the second step-down under the agreement. Since these revenues accounted for 57% of consolidated government revenues, reduced Compact funding resulted in a severe depression. While Micronesia s economy appears to have bottomed out in 1999, the country s medium-term economic outlook remains fragile due to likely further reductions in external grants made under the US Compact funding. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.purchasing power parity - $263 million (1999 est.) note- GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually0.3% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,000 (1999 est.)19%4%77% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.6% (FY98/99)NAtwo-thirds are government employees16% (1999 est.)$161 million ($69 million less grants)$160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, and pearlsNA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhblack pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens$73 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)fish, garments, bananas, black pepperJapan, US, Guam$168 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.)food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beveragesUS, Japan, Australia$111 million (1997 est.)under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001US dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 October - 30 September Micronesia, Federated States of Communications11,000 (2001)NA adequate system islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)NA2 (1997)NA.fm1 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km240 km42 km198 km (1996)noneColonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)7 (2000 est.) 6 4 2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defenseinternational- noneMidway IslandsThe US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a wildlife refuge open to the public.Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo28 13 N, 177 22 WOceania6.2 sq km6.2 sq km0 sq km note- includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Islandabout nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km15 km200 NM12 NMsubtropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly windslow, nearly levelPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 13 mwildlife, terrestrial and aquatic0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1998)NANAa coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba divingno indigenous inhabitants; approximately 150 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services cooperator living at the atoll (July 2001 est.)noneMidway Islandsunincorporated territory of the US; formerly administered from Washington, DC, by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993; on 31 October 1996, through a presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge systemthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Midway Islands EconomyThe economy is based on providing support services for the national wildlife refuge activities located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.NA kmNA kmNA kmnone7.8 kmSand Island3 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- noneMoldovaFormerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru (Dnister) River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe and plagued by a moribund economy, in 2001 Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a communist as its president.Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania47 00 N, 29 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States33,843 sq km33,371 sq km472 sq kmslightly larger than Marylandtotal- 1,389 kmRomania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)moderate winters, warm summersrolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black SeaNistru (Dnister) River 2 mDealul Balanesti 430 mlignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land53%14%13%13%7% (1993 est.)3,110 sq km (1993 est.)landslides (57 cases in 1998)heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methodsAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutantslandlocked4,431,570 (July 2001 est.) 22.44% (male 506,303; female 488,311) 67.62% (male 1,437,492; female 1,559,090) 9.94% (male 163,473; female 276,901) (2001 est.)0.05% (2001 est.)13.35 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.6 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.59 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2001 est.)42.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 64.6 years 60.15 years 69.26 years (2001 est.)1.67 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.2% (1999 est.)4,500 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Moldovan(s)MoldovanMoldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 est.) note- internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian regionEastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000 members) (1991)Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) age 15 and over can read and write 96% 99% 94% (1989 est.)Republic of MoldovaMoldovaRepublica MoldovanoneSoviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; MoldaviarepublicChisinau10 juletule (singular - juletul), 1 municipality*, and 1 autonomous territorial unit**; Balti, Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Dubasari, Edinet, Gagauzia**, Lapusna, Orhei, Soroca, Tighina, Ungheni27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 27 August (1991)new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), three Deputy Prime Ministers- Valerian CRISTEA, Andrei CUCU, and Dmitri TODOROGLO (all since 19 April 2001)selected by prime minister, subject to approval of Parliament president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 4 April 2001; presidential elections were scheduled for December 2000, but in July 2000, Parliament canceled direct popular elections; Parliament s failure to chose a new president in December 2000 led to early parliamentary elections (moved up a year to February 2001); according to the Moldovan constitution, the president, on consulting with Parliament, will designate a candidate for the office of prime minister; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate will request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated on 15 April 2001, cabinet received vote of confidence on 19 April 2001 Vladimir VORONIN elected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 71, Dumitru BRAGHIS 15, Valerian CHRISTEA 3; Vasile TARLEV elected Prime Minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs, as well as independent candidates, elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 25 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005) percent of vote by party - PCM 50.1%, Braghis Alliance 13.4%, PPCD 8.2%, other parties 28.3%; seats by party - PCM 71, Braghis Alliance 19, PPCD 11Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)Braghis Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]NAACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Ceslav CIOBANU 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-1130 [1] (202) 667-1204 Ambassador Rudolf Vilem PERINA Strada Alexei Mateevicie, #103, Chisinau 2009 use embassy street address; pouch address - American Embassy Chisinau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7080 [373] (2) 23-37-72 [373] (2) 23-30-44same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow Moldova EconomyMoldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. Yet these efforts could not offset the impact of political and economic difficulties, both internal and regional. In 1998, the economic troubles of Russia, by far Moldova s leading trade partner, were a major cause of the 8.6% drop in GDP. In 1999, GDP fell again, by 4.4%, the fifth drop in the past seven years; exports were down, and energy supplies continued to be erratic. GDP declined slightly in 2000, with a serious drought hurting agriculture. Growth should turn positive in 2001.purchasing power parity - $11.3 billion (2000 est.)-1.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2000 est.)31%35%34% (1998)75% (1999 est.)2.7%25.8% (1992)32% (2000 est.)1.7 million (1998)agriculture 40%, industry 14%, other 46% (1998)1.9% (includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers) (November 2000)$536 million$594 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles3% (2000 est.)4.155 billion kWh (1999)93.62%6.38%0% 0% (1999)5.78 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)1.916 billion kWh (1999)vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk$500 million (f.o.b., 2000)foodstuffs 57%, wine, tobacco; textiles and footwear, machinery (1999)Russia 41%, Romania 9%, Germany 8%, Ukraine 7%, Italy, Belarus (1999)$761 million (f.o.b., 2000)mineral products and fuel 38%, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (1999)Russia 21%, Romania 16%, Ukraine 14%, Germany 12%, Italy 6%, Belarus (1999)$900 million (2000)$100.8 million (1995); note - $547 million from the IMF and World Bank (1992-99)Moldovan leu (MDL)MDLlei per US dollar - 12.3728 (January 2001), 12.4342 (2000), 10.5158 (1999), 5.3707 (1998), 4.6236 (1997), 4.6045 (1996); note - lei is the plural form of leucalendar year Moldova Communications627,000 (1997)2,200 (1997) inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau, some effort to modernize is under way new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile cellular telephone service being introduced service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and IntersputnikAM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)3.22 million (1997)1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)1.26 million (1997).md2 (1999)15,000 (2000)1,328 km broad gauge- 1,328 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)20,000 km13,900 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)6,100 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)424 km (1994)natural gas 310 km (1992)none30 (2000 est.) 7 1 2 3 1 (2000 est.) 23 4 1 4 14 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,164,018 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 921,210 (2001 est.)males- 42,268 (2001 est.)$6 million (FY99)1% (FY99)international- separatist Transnistria region, comprising the area between the Nistru (Dniester) River and Ukraine, has its own de facto government, dominated by Moldovan Slavslimited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the USMonacoEconomic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality s mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center.Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy43 44 N, 7 24 EEurope1.95 sq km1.95 sq km0 sq kmabout three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCtotal- 4.4 kmFrance 4.4 km4.1 km12 NMMediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summershilly, rugged, rockyMediterranean Sea 0 mMont Agel 140 mnone0%0%0%0%100% (urban area)NA sq kmNANAAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolsecond smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban31,842 (July 2001 est.) 15.32% (male 2,503; female 2,375) 62.23% (male 9,731; female 10,083) 22.45% (male 2,921; female 4,229) (2001 est.)0.46% (2001 est.)9.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.98 years 75.04 years 83.12 years (2001 est.)1.76 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAMonegasque(s) or Monacan(s)Monegasque or MonacanFrench 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%Roman Catholic 90%French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque NA 99% NA% NA%Principality of MonacoMonacoPrincipaute de MonacoMonacoconstitutional monarchyMonaconone; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November17 December 1962based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction21 years of age; universalPrince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch (born 14 March 1958)Minister of State Patrick LECLERQUE (since 5 January 2000)Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Governmentunicameral National Council or Conseil National (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 1 and 8 February 1998 (next to be held NA January 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UND 18Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council)National and Democratic Union or UND [leader NA]; National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM [leader NA]; Rally for the Monegasque Family [leader NA]NAACCT, ECE, IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO New Yorktwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red Monaco EconomyMonaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates below are extremely rough.purchasing power parity - $870 million (1999 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $27,000 (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%30,540 (January 1994)3.1% (1998)$518 million$531 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer productsNA%NA kWhNA kWh note- electricity supplied by France (1999)none$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France$NA$NAFrench franc (FRF); euro (EUR)FRF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year Monaco Communications31,027 (1995)NA modern automatic telephone system NA no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications systemAM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)34,000 (1997)5 (1998)25,000 (1997).mc2 (2000)NA1.7 km1.7 km 1.435-m gauge50 km50 km0 km (2001)noneMonaco Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice, France, and Monaco s heliport at Fontvieille) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- noneMongoliaLong a province of China, Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A communist regime was installed in 1924. During the early 1990s, the ex-communist Mongolian People s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually yielded its monopoly on power. In 1996, the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) defeated the MPRP in a national election. Over the next four years the Coalition implemented a number of key reforms to modernize the economy and institutionalize democratic reforms. However, the former communists were a strong opposition that stalled additional reforms and made implementation difficult. In 2000, the MPRP won 72 of the 76 seats in Parliament and completely reshuffled the government. While it continues many of the reform policies, the MPRP is focusing on social welfare and public order priorities.Northern Asia, between China and Russia46 00 N, 105 00 EAsia1.565 million sq km1.565 million sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Alaskatotal- 8,161.9 kmChina 4,676.9 km, Russia 3,485 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-centralHoh Nuur 518 mNayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 moil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate5.7%0%81%11.4%1.9% (2000 est.)800 sq km (1993 est.)dust and snow storms, grassland and forest fires, drought and "zud", which is a combination of drought followed by harsh winter conditionslimited natural fresh water resources in some areas; policies of the former communist regime promoting rapid urbanization and industrial growth have raised concerns about their negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws have severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, the converting of virgin land to agricultural production have increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities have also had a deleterious effect on the environmentBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementslandlocked; strategic location between China and Russia2,654,999 (July 2001 est.) 32.99% (male 445,252; female 430,758) 63.13% (male 837,771; female 838,384) 3.88% (male 44,436; female 58,398) (2001 est.)1.47% (2001 est.)21.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)53.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 64.26 years 62.14 years 66.5 years (2001 est.)2.39 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)NAMongolian(s)MongolianMongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is the largest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 3.4% (1998)Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism 96%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest), Shamanism, and Christian 4% (1998)Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) age 15 and over can read and write 97% 98% 97.5% (2000)noneMongolianoneMongol UlsOuter MongoliaparliamentaryUlaanbaatar18 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 3 municipalities* (hotuud, singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs note- there may be a new province named Gobi-Sumber; further, there may now be 21 provinces and 1 capital city instead of 18 provinces and 3 municipalities11 July 1921 (from China)Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)12 February 1992blend of Russian, Chinese, Turkish, and Western systems of law that combines aspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of a presidential system; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997)Prime Minister Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 26 July 2000)Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural in consultation with the president president nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural; election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) Natsagiyn BAGABANDI reelected president; percent of vote - NA%; Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected prime minister by a vote in the State Great Hural of 68 to 3unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPRP 72, other 4Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people s and provincial courts, but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts for approval by the president)Citizens Will Party or CWP (also called Civil Will Party) [Sanjaasurengyn OYUN]; Democratic Party or DP [D. DORLIGAN]; Mongolian People s Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian Democratic New Socialist Party or MDNSP [B. ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian Republican Party or MRP [B. JARGALSAIHAN] note- the MPRP is the ruling partyNAARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CCC, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Jalbuugiyn CHOINHOR 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 333-7117 [1] (202) 298-9227 New York Ambassador John DINGER inner north side of the Big Ring, just west of the Selbe Gol, Ulaanbaatar United States Embassy in Mongolia, P. O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002 [976] (11) 329095 [976] (11) 320776three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Mongolia EconomyEconomic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and breeding of livestock. Mongolia also has extensive mineral deposits- copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990-91, at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. Mongolia was driven into deep recession, which was prolonged by the Mongolian People s Revolutionary Party s (MPRP) reluctance to undertake serious economic reform. The Democratic Coalition (DC) government has embraced free-market economics, easing price controls, liberalizing domestic and international trade, and attempting to restructure the banking system and the energy sector. Major domestic privatization programs were undertaken, as well as the fostering of foreign investment through international tender of the oil distribution company, a leading cashmere company, and banks. Reform was held back by the ex-communist MPRP opposition and by the political instability brought about through four successive governments under the DC. Economic growth picked up in 1997-99 after stalling in 1996 due to a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copper and cashmere. In August and September 1999, the economy suffered from a temporary Russian ban on exports of oil and oil products, and Mongolia remains vulnerable in this sector. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1997. The international donor community pledged over $300 million per year at the last Consultative Group Meeting, held in Ulaanbaatar in June 1999. The MPRP government, elected in July 2000, is anxious to improve the investment climate; it must also deal with a heavy burden of external debt.purchasing power parity - $4.7 billion (2000 est.)-1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,780 (2000 est.)36%22%42% (2000 est.)40% (2000 est.)2.9%24.5% (1995)7.6% (1999)1.3 million (1999)primarily herding/agriculturalNA%$262 million$328 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)construction materials, mining (particularly coal and copper); food and beverages, processing of animal products2.4% (2000 est.)2.671 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)2.767 billion kWh (1999)80 million kWh (1999)363 million kWh (1999)wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses$454.3 million (f.o.b., 1999)copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metalsChina 60%, US 20%, Russia 9%, Japan 2% (2000 est.)$510.7 million (c.i.f., 1999)machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, teaRussia 33%, China 21%, Japan 12%, South Korea 10%, US 4% (1999)$760 million (2000 est.)$200 million (1998 est.)togrog/tugrik (MNT)MNTtogrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,097.00 (December 2000), 1,076.67 (2000), 1,072.37 (1999), 840.83 (1998), 789.99 (1997), 548.40 (1996)calendar year Mongolia Communications104,100 (1999)110,000 (2001) very low density- about 3.5 telephones for each thousand persons NA satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)AM 7, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2001)155,900 (1999)4 (plus 18 provincial repeaters and many low powered repeaters) (1999)168,800 (1999).mn5 (2001)between 10,000 and 15,000 (2001) Railways- 1,815 km broad gauge- 1,815 km 1.524-m gauge (2001)3,387 km1,563 km1,824 km note- there are also 45,862 km of rural roads that consist of rough, unimproved, cross-country tracks (2000)400 km (1999)none34 (2000 est.) 8 7 1 (2000 est.) 26 3 5 10 3 5 (2000 est.)Mongolian Armed Forces (includes General Purpose Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense Troops); note - Border Troops are under Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs in peacetime18 years of agemales age 15-49- 748,779 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 486,491 (2001 est.)males- 30,230 (2001 est.)$25.5 million (FY01)2.3% (FY01)international- noneMontserratMuch of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began on 18 July 1995.Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico16 45 N, 62 12 WCentral America and the Caribbean100 sq km100 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC0 km40 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMtropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variationvolcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowlandCaribbean Sea 0 mChances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills) 914 mNEGL20%0%10%40%30% (1993 est.)NA sq kmsevere hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano occurred during 1996-97)land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation7,574 note- an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2001 est.) 23.83% (male 907; female 898) 64.66% (male 2,341; female 2,556) 11.51% (male 464; female 408) (2001 est.)13.39% (2001 est.)17.43 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)123.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)8.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.03 years 75.95 years 80.22 years (2001 est.)1.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAMontserratian(s)Montserratianblack, whiteAnglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominationsEnglish age 15 and over has ever attended school 97% 97% 97% (1970 est.)noneMontserratoverseas territory of the UKNAPlymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades, in the Carr s Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat)3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter snone (overseas territory of the UK)Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)present constitution came into force 19 December 1989English common law and statutory law18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997)Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997)Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister; note - as a result of the last election, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one of the independent candidatesunicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 7 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held by NA November 2001) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPA 2, MNR 2, NPP 1, independent 2Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court)Movement for National Reconstruction or MNR [Percival Austin BRAMBLE]; National Development Party or NDP [leader NA]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; People s Progressive Alliance or PPA [John A. OSBORNE]NACaricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCLblue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross Montserrat EconomySevere volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK committed to a three year $125 million aid program in 1999 to help reconstruct the economy.purchasing power parity - $31 million (1999 est.)-1.5% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1999 est.)5.4%13.6%81% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%5% (1998)4,521 (1992); note - recently lowered by flight of people from volcanic activityagriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%20% (1996 est.)$31.4 million$31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4 million (1997 est.)tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliancesNA%10 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)9.3 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products$1.5 million (1998)electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattleUS, Antigua and Barbuda (1993)$26 million (1998)machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materialsUS, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1993)$8.9 million (1997)$9.8 million (1995); note - about $100 million (1996-98) in reconstruction aid from the UK; Country Policy Plan (1999) is a three-year program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistanceEast Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)1 April - 31 March Montserrat Communications4,000 (1997)70 (1994) NA NA NAAM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)7,000 (1997)1 (1997)3,000 (1997).ms17 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km269 km203 km66 km (1995)nonePlymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing), Carr s Bay Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Police Force Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- nonetransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and EuropeMoroccoMorocco s long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier was turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997.Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara32 00 N, 5 00 WAfrica446,550 sq km446,300 sq km250 sq kmslightly larger than Californiatotal- 2,017.9 kmAlgeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km1,835 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMMediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interiornorthern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plainsSebkha Tah -55 mJbel Toubkal 4,165 mphosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt21%1%47%20%11% (1993 est.)12,580 sq km (1993 est.)northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughtsland degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal watersBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, WhalingEnvironmental Modification, Law of the Seastrategic location along Strait of Gibraltar30,645,305 (July 2001 est.) 34.39% (male 5,368,784; female 5,170,891) 60.93% (male 9,270,095; female 9,402,561) 4.68% (male 646,567; female 786,407) (2001 est.)1.71% (2001 est.)24.16 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.94 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)48.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.43 years 67.2 years 71.76 years (2001 est.)3.05 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.03% (1999 est.)NANAMoroccan(s)MoroccanArab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy age 15 and over can read and write 43.7% 56.6% 31% (1995 est.)Kingdom of MoroccoMoroccoAl Mamlakah al MaghribiyahAl Maghribconstitutional monarchyRabat37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit note- three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara; decentralization/regionalization law passed by the legislature in March 1997 creating many new provinces/regions; specific details and scope of the reorganization not yet available2 March 1956 (from France)Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court21 years of age; universalKing MOHAMED VI (since 23 July 1999)Prime Minister Abderrahmane YOUSSOUFI (since 14 March 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative electionsbicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) Chamber of Counselors - last held 15 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2002); Chamber of Representatives - last held 14 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2002) Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - USFP 57, UC 50, RNI 46, MP 40, MDS 32, IP 32, MNP 19, PND 10, MPCD 9, PPS 9, FFD 9, PSD 5, OADP 4, PA 2, PDI 1 note- CDT, UTM, UGTM, UNMT are all labor unions listed under Political pressure groups and leaders; see explanation in the description of ParliamentSupreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)Action Party or PA [Muhammad IDRISS]; Constitutional Union or UC [leader NA]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Thami KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Issa OUARDIGHI]; Democratic Party for Independence or PDI [Thami EL-OUAZZANI, Said BOUACHRINE]; Istiqlal Party or IP [Abbas El-FASSI]; Labor Party or UT [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or PND [Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; Organization of Democratic and Popular Action or OADP [Mohamed BEN SAID ait Idder]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Moulay Ismail ALAOUI]; Popular Constitutional and Democratic Movement or MPCD (has become Party of Justice and Development or PJD) [Dr. Abdelkarim KHATIB]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Social Democratic Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abd ar-Rahman EL-YOUSSOUFI]Association of Popular Trade Unions or ADP [leader NA]; Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; Democratic National Trade Union or USND [leader NA]; Democratic Trade Union or SD [leader NA]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Labor Union Commissions or CS [leader NA]; Moroccan National Workers Union or UNMT [leader NA]; Moroccan Union of Workers or UTM [Mahjoub BENSEDIQ]; Party of Shura and Istiqla [Abdelwaheb MAASH]ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Abdullah MAAROUFI 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982 [1] (202) 265-0161 New York Ambassador Edward M. GABRIEL 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat PSC 74, Box 3, APO AE 90718 [212] (37) 76 22 65 [212] (37) 76 56 61 Casablancared with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon s seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam Morocco EconomyMorocco faces the problems typical of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable economic growth. Following structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is now fully convertible for current account transactions, and reforms of the financial sector have been implemented. Drought conditions depressed activity in the key agricultural sector and contributed to a stagnant economy in 1999 and 2000. During that time, however, Morocco reported large foreign exchange inflows from the sale of a mobile telephone license and partial privatization of the state-owned telecommunications company. Favorable rainfalls have led Morocco to predict a growth of 1% for 2001. Formidable long-term challenges include- servicing the external debt; preparing the economy for freer trade with the EU; and improving education and attracting foreign investment to boost living standards and job prospects for Morocco s youthful population.purchasing power parity - $105 billion (2000 est.)0.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2000 est.)15%33%52% (1999 est.)19% (1999 est.)2.6%30.9% (1998-99)2% (2000 est.)11 million (1997 est.)agriculture 50%, services 35%, industry 15% (1999 est.)23% (1999 est.)$9.6 billion$8.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.1 billion (2001 est.)phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism0.5% (1999 est.)13.695 billion kWh (1999)89.19%10.81%0% 0% (1999)13.441 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)705 million kWh (1999)barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)phosphates and fertilizers, food and beverages, mineralsFrance 35%, Spain 9%, UK 8%, Germany 7%, US 5% (1999)$12.2 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)semiprocessed goods, machinery and equipment, food and beverages, consumer goods, fuelFrance 32%, Spain 12%, Italy 7%, Germany 6%, UK 6% (1999)$18.4 billion (2000 est.)$565.6 million (1995)Moroccan dirham (MAD)MADMoroccan dirhams per US dollar - 10.590 (January 2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996)calendar year Morocco Communications1.391 million (1998)116,645 (1998) modern system with all important capabilities; however density is low with only 4.6 main lines available for each 100 persons good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay 7 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (1998)AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998)6.64 million (1997)35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995)3.1 million (1997).ma8 (2000)120,000 (1999)1,907 km1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified; 540 km double track)57,847 km30,254 km (including 327 km of expressways)27,593 km (1998)nonecrude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km (abandoned); natural gas 241 kmAgadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 223,052 GRT/272,786 DWTcargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 5, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)69 (2000 est.) 26 10 5 9 1 1 (2000 est.) 43 1 11 20 11 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces18 years of agemales age 15-49- 8,182,073 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 5,160,374 (2001 est.)males- 348,380 (2001 est.)$1.4 billion (FY99/00)4% (FY99/00)international- claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinasillicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western EuropeMozambiqueAlmost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country s development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992.Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania18 15 S, 35 00 EAfrica801,590 sq km784,090 sq km17,500 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Californiatotal- 4,571 kmMalawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km2,470 km200 NM12 NMtropical to subtropicalmostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in westIndian Ocean 0 mMonte Binga 2,436 mcoal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite4%0%56%18%22% (1993 est.)1,200 sq km (2000 est.)severe droughts and floods occur in central and southern provinces; devastating cyclonesa long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal watersBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreements19,371,057 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2001 est.) 42.72% (male 4,124,093; female 4,152,135) 54.53% (male 5,222,477; female 5,339,615) 2.75% (male 221,678; female 311,059) (2001 est.)1.3% (2001 est.)37.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)24.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 36.45 years 37.25 years 35.62 years (2001 est.)4.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)13.22% (1999 est.)1.2 million (1999 est.)98,000 (1999 est.)Mozambican(s)Mozambicanindigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects age 15 and over can read and write 42.3% 58.4% 27% (1998 est.)Republic of MozambiqueMozambiqueRepublica de MocambiqueMocambiquePortuguese East AfricarepublicMaputo10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia25 June 1975 (from Portugal)Independence Day, 25 June (1975)30 November 1990based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law18 years of age; universalPresident Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986); note - before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected president by Frelimo s Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelected by the Committee 30 July 1989)Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NA December 1994)Cabinet president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO reelected president; percent of vote - Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO 52.29%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 47.71%unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms) last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - Frelimo 48.54%, Renamo-UE 38.81%; seats by party - Frelimo 133, Renamo-UE 117 note- Renamo-UE ran as a multiparty coalition; none of the other opposition parties received the 5% required to win parliamentary seatsSupreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts note- although the constitution provides for the creation of a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional casesFront for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance - Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana - Uniao Eleitoral) or Renamo-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 293-7146 [1] (202) 835-0245 Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo P. O. Box 783, Maputo [258] (1) 492797 [258] (1) 490114three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Mozambique EconomyBefore the peace accord of October 1992, Mozambique s economy was devastated by a protracted civil war and socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy have been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises have been privatized. A value-added tax, introduced in 1999, launched the government s comprehensive tax reform program. Pending are much needed commercial code reform and greater private sector involvement in the transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors. Since 1996, inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates relatively stable. Albeit from a small base, Mozambique s economy grew at an annual 10% rate in 1997-99, one of the highest growth rates in the world. Growth slowed and inflation rose in 2000 due to devastating flooding in the early part of the year. Both indicators should recover in 2001. The country depends on foreign assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which imports greatly outnumber exports. The trade situation should improve in the medium term, however, as trade and transportation links to South Africa and the rest of the region have been improved and sizeable foreign investments are beginning to materialize. Among these investments are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas, power generation, agriculture, fishing, timber, and transportation services. Mozambique has received a formal cancellation of a large portion of its external debt through an IMF initiative and is scheduled to receive additional relief.purchasing power parity - $19.1 billion (2000 est.)3.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)44%19%37% (1999 est.)70% (2000 est.)2.5%31.7% (1996-97)11.4% (2000 est.)7.4 million (1997 est.)agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.)21% (1997 est.)$466.9 million$1.004 billion, including capital expenditures of $502.5 million (2000 est.)food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco7.2% (1999)2.3 billion kWh (1999)13.04%86.96%0% 0% (1999)307 million kWh (1999)1.9 billion kWh (1999)68 million kWh (1999)cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice, coconuts, sisal, tropical fruits; beef, poultry$390 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)prawns 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity (2000)EU 27%, South Africa 26%, Zimbabwe 15%, India 12%, US 5%, Japan 4% (1999 est.)$1.4 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs, textiles (2000)South Africa 44%, EU 16%, US 6.5%, Japan 6.5%, Pakistan 3%, India 3% (1999 est.)$1.4 billion (2000 est.)$1.04 billion (1998)metical (MZM)MZMmeticais per US dollar - 17,331.0 (January 2001), 5,199.8 (2000), 12,775.1 (1999), 11,874.6 (1998), 11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (1996)calendar year Mozambique Communications65,354 (2000)18,500 (2000) fair system but not available generally (telephone density is only 3.5 telephones for each 1,000 persons) the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)AM 13, FM 16, shortwave 12 (2000)730,000 (1997)1 (2000)67,600 (2000).mz8 (2000)6,250 note- 150 corporate accounts and 6,100 individual accounts (2000)3,131 km2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994)30,400 km5,685 km24,715 km (1996)3,750 km (navigable routes)crude oil 306 km; petroleum products 289 km note- not operatingBeira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWTcargo 3 (2000 est.)168 (2000 est.) 22 1 3 10 3 5 (2000 est.) 146 1 16 37 92 (2000 est.)Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militiamales age 15-49- 4,627,052 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,670,933 (2001 est.)$35.1 million (2000 est.)1% (2000 est.)international- noneSouthern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa)NamibiaSouth Africa occupied the German colony of Sud-West Afrika during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People s Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990.Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa22 00 S, 17 00 EAfrica825,418 sq km825,418 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than half the size of Alaskatotal- 3,824 kmAngola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855 km, Zambia 233 km1,572 km24 NM200 NM12 NMdesert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erraticmostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in eastAtlantic Ocean 0 mKonigstein 2,606 mdiamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish note- suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore1%0%46%22%31% (1993 est.)60 sq km (1993 est.)prolonged periods of droughtvery limited natural fresh water resources; desertificationAntarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements1,797,677 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 42.74% (male 389,028; female 379,229) 53.54% (male 480,075; female 482,375) 3.72% (male 29,109; female 37,861) (2001 est.)1.38% (2001 est.)34.71 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)20.9 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)71.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 40.62 years 42.48 years 38.71 years (2001 est.)4.83 children born/woman (2001 est.)19.54% (1999 est.)160,000 (1999 est.)18,000 (1999 est.)Namibian(s)Namibianblack 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% note- about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are- Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages- Oshivambo, Herero, Nama age 15 and over can read and write 38% 45% 31% (1960 est.)Republic of NamibiaNamibiaGerman Southwest Africa, South-West AfricarepublicWindhoek13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)Independence Day, 21 March (1990)ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution18 years of age; universalPresident Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77%bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004) National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1, note- the National Council is primarily an advisory bodySupreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People s Organization or SWAPO [Sam NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]NAAfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 986-0540 [1] (202) 986-0443 Ambassador Jeffrey A. BADER Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek use embassy street address [264] (61) 221601 [264] (61) 229792a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders Namibia EconomyThe economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world s fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. Half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is four times the per capita GDP of Africa s poorer countries, the majority of Namibia s people live in pronounced poverty because of large-scale unemployment, the great inequality of income distribution, and the large amount of wealth going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa. GDP growth in 2000 was led by gains in the diamond and fish sectors. Agreement has been reached on the privatization of several more enterprises in coming years, which should stimulate long-run foreign investment. Growth in 2001 could be 5.5% provided the world economy remains stable.purchasing power parity - $7.6 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2000 est.)12%25%63% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%9.1% (2000)500,000agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.)30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.)$883 million$950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998)meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)NA1.198 billion kWh (1999)2%98%0% 0% (1999)1.948 billion kWh (1999)56 million kWh (1999)890 million kWh note- supplied by South Africa (1999)millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish$1.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skinsUK 43%, South Africa 26%, Spain 14%, France 8%, Japan (1998 est.)$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicalsSouth Africa 81%, US 4%, Germany 2% (1997 est.)$217 million (2000 est.)$127 million (1998)Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR)NAD; ZARNamibian dollars per US dollar - 7.78307 (January 2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996)1 April - 31 March Namibia Communications100,848 (1997)NA good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 IntelsatAM 2, FM 34, shortwave 5 (1998)232,000 (1997)8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)60,000 (1997).na2 (2000)9,000 (1999)2,382 km2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)63,258 km5,250 km58,008 km (1997 est.)noneLuderitz, Walvis Bay Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)131 (2000 est.) 21 2 2 13 4 (2000 est.) 110 2 21 69 18 (2000 est.)National Defense Force (Army), Policemales age 15-49- 427,067 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 255,016 (2001 est.)$104.4 million (2001)2.6% (FY97/98)international- noneNauruNauru s phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium; the island was occupied by Australian forces in World War I. Upon achieving independence in 1968, Nauru became the smallest independent republic in the world; it joined the UN in 1999.Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands0 32 S, 166 55 EOceania21 sq km21 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC0 km30 km24 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in centerPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location along plateau rim 61 mphosphates0%0%0%0%100% (1993 est.)NA sq kmperiodic droughtslimited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resourcesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumpingnone of the selected agreementsNauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator12,088 (July 2001 est.) 40.33% (male 2,510; female 2,365) 57.97% (male 3,475; female 3,533) 1.7% (male 103; female 102) (2001 est.)2% (2001 est.)27.22 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.2 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)10.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 61.2 years 57.7 years 64.88 years (2001 est.)3.61 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANANauruan(s)NauruanNauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes NA NA% NA% NA%Republic of NauruNauruPleasant Islandrepublicno official capital; government offices in Yaren District14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)Independence Day, 31 January (1968)29 January 1968acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law20 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 19 April 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 19 April 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president from among the members of Parliament president elected by Parliament for a three-year term; election last held 8 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2003) Bernard DOWIYOGO elected president by a vote in Parliament of nine to eight note- former President Rene HARRIS was deposed in a no-confidence vote; this is the eighth change of government in Nauru since the fall of the Lagumont HARRIS government in a no-confidence motion in early November 1996; six of the last eight governments have resulted because of parliamentary no-confidence motionsunicameral Parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2003) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 18Supreme Courtloose multiparty system; Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]; Nauru Party (informal) [Bernard DOWIYOGO]NAACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, ICAO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO (212) 937-0074 consulate(s)- Hagatna (Guam)blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country s location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru Nauru EconomyRevenues of this tiny island have come from exports of phosphates, but reserves are expected to be exhausted within five to ten years. Phosphate production has declined since 1989, as demand has fallen in traditional markets and as the marginal cost of extracting the remaining phosphate increases, making it less internationally competitive. While phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World, few other resources exist with most necessities being imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru s phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income have been invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru s economic future. The government has been borrowing heavily from the trusts to finance fiscal deficits. To cut costs the government has called for a freezing of wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments, privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some overseas consulates. In recent years Nauru has encouraged the registration of offshore banks and corporations. Tens of billions of dollars have been channeled through their accounts. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist, with estimates of Nauru s per capita GDP varying widely.purchasing power parity - $59 million (2000 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%-3.6% (1993)employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation0%$23.4 million$64.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96)phosphate mining, financial services, coconut productsNA%30 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)27.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coconuts$25.3 million (f.o.b., 1991)phosphatesAustralia, NZ$21.1 million (c.i.f., 1991)food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machineryAustralia, UK, NZ, Japan$33.3 million$2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.)Australian dollar (AUD)AUDAustralian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)1 July - 30 June Nauru Communications2,000 (1996)450 (1994) adequate local and international radiotelephone communications provided via Australian facilities NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)7,000 (1997)1 (1997)500 (1997).nr1 (2000)NA5 km; note - used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast30 km24 km6 km (1998 est.)noneNauru Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)no regular armed forces; Directorate of the Nauru Police Forcemales age 15-49- 3,018 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,661 (2001 est.)$NANA% Military - note- Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australiainternational- noneNavassa IslandThis uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano, and mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge.Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica18 25 N, 75 02 WCentral America and the Caribbean5.2 sq km5.2 sq km0 sq kmabout nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km8 km200 NM12 NMmarine, tropicalraised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high)Caribbean Sea 0 munnamed location on southwest side 77 mguano0%0%10%0%90%0 sq km (1998)NANAstrategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactusuninhabited note- transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island (July 2001 est.)noneNavassa Islandunincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse located on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the islandthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Navassa Island Economyno economic activitynonenone; offshore anchorage only Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- claimed by HaitiNepalIn 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. The refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of these displaced persons are housed in seven United Nations Offices of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps.Southern Asia, between China and India28 00 N, 84 00 EAsia140,800 sq km136,800 sq km4,000 sq kmslightly larger than Arkansastotal- 2,926 kmChina 1,236 km, India 1,690 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in southTerai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in northKanchan Kalan 70 mMount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.)quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore17%0%15%42%26% (1993 est.)8,500 sq km (1993 est.)severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoonsdeforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissionsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsMarine Dumping, Marine Life Conservationlandlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world s 10 highest peaks25,284,463 (July 2001 est.) 40.35% (male 5,267,234; female 4,933,910) 56.16% (male 7,264,575; female 6,934,384) 3.49% (male 437,813; female 446,547) (2001 est.)2.32% (2001 est.)33.4 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)74.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 58.22 years 58.65 years 57.77 years (2001 est.)4.58 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.29% (1999 est.)34,000 (1999 est.)2,500 (1999 est.)Nepalese (singular and plural)NepaleseBrahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu, and others (1995)Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, other 2.2% note- only official Hindu state in the world (1995)Nepali (official; spoken by 90% of the population), about a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects; note - many in government and business also speak English (1995) age 15 and over can read and write 27.5% 40.9% 14% (1995 est.)Kingdom of NepalNepalparliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchyKathmandu14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946)9 November 1990based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (succeeded to the throne 4 June 2001 following the death of his nephew King DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah)Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 22 March 2000)Cabinet appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch note- King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev died in a bloody shooting at the royal palace on 1 June 2001 that also claimed the lives of most of the royal family; King BIRENDRA s son, Crown Price DIPENDRA, is believed to have been responsible for the shootings before fatally wounding himself; immediately following the shootings and while still clinging to life, DIPENDRA was crowned king; he died three days later and was succeeded by his unclebicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (60 seats; 35 appointed by the House of Representatives, 10 by the king, and 15 elected by an electoral college; one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (205 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 3 and 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NC 37.3%, CPN/UML 31.6%, NDP 10.4%, NSP 3.2%, Rastriya Jana Morcha 1.4%, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 0.8%, NWPP 0.5%, others 14.8%; seats by party - NC 113, CPN/UML 69, NDP 11, NSP 5, Rastriya Jana Morcha 5, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 1, NWPP 1Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Council)Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Madhav Kumar NEPAL, general secretary]; National Democratic Party or NDP (also called Rastriya Prajantra Party or RPP) [Surya Bahadur THAPA, chairman]; Nepal Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party or NSP [Gajendra Narayan SINGH, president]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE, party chair]; Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA, party president, Sushil KOIRALA, general secretary]; Rastriya Jana Morcha [Chitra Bahadur K. C., chairman]; Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal [Lila Mani POKHAREL, general secretary]Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency; numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groupsAsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Damodar Prasad GAUTAM 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-4550 [1] (202) 667-5534 New York Ambassador Ralph FRANK Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu use embassy street address [977] (1) 411179, 410531 [977] (1) 419963red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun Nepal EconomyNepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with nearly half of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting for 41% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Production of textiles and carpets has expanded recently and accounted for about 80% of foreign exchange earnings in the past three years. Agricultural production is growing by about 5% on average as compared with annual population growth of 2.3%. Since May 1991, the government has been moving forward with economic reforms, particularly those that encourage trade and foreign investment, e.g., by reducing business licenses and registration requirements in order to simplify investment procedures. The government has also been cutting expenditures by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. More recently, however, political instability - five different governments over the past few years - has hampered Kathmandu s ability to forge consensus to implement key economic reforms. Nepal has considerable scope for accelerating economic growth by exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community s role of funding more than 60% of Nepal s development budget and more than 28% of total budgetary expenditures will likely continue as a major ingredient of growth.purchasing power parity - $33.7 billion (2000 est.)3.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,360 (2000 est.)41%22%37% (2000 est.)42% (FY95/96 est.)3.2%29.8% (1995-96)3.3% (FY99/00 est.)10 million (1996 est.) note- severe lack of skilled laboragriculture 81%, services 16%, industry 3%NA%; substantial underemployment (1999)$536 million$818 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97 est.)tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette; cement and brick productionNA%1.255 billion kWh (1999)9.56%90.44%0% 0% (1999)1.309 billion kWh (1999)68 million kWh (1999)210 million kWh (1999)rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat$485 million (f.o.b., 1998), but does not include unrecorded border trade with Indiacarpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grainIndia 33%, US 26%, Germany 25% (FY97/98)$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998)gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizerIndia 31%, China/Hong Kong 16%, Singapore 14% (FY97/98)$2.4 billion (1997)$411 million (FY97/98)Nepalese rupee (NPR)NPRNepalese rupees per US dollar - 74.129 (January 2001), 71.104 (2000), 68.239 (1999), 65.976 (1998), 58.010 (1997), 56.692 (1996)16 July - 15 July Nepal Communications236,816 (January 2000)NA poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network NA radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (January 2000)840,000 (1997)1 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998)130,000 (1997).np6 (2000)35,000 (2000)59 km; note - all in Kosi close to Indian border59 km 0.762-m gauge (2000)13,223 km4,073 km9,150 km (April 1999)nonenone45 (2000 est.) 8 1 1 6 (2000 est.) 37 1 7 29 (2000 est.)Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air Service), Nepalese Police Force17 years of agemales age 15-49- 6,295,990 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,272,077 (2001 est.)males- 292,589 (2001 est.)$44 million (FY96/97)0.9% (FY96/97)international- refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 98,700 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) campsillicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the WestNetherlandsThe Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany52 30 N, 5 45 EEurope41,526 sq km33,883 sq km7,643 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of New Jerseytotal- 1,027 kmBelgium 450 km, Germany 577 km451 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMtemperate; marine; cool summers and mild wintersmostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeastPrins Alexanderpolder -7 mVaalserberg 321 mnatural gas, petroleum, arable land25%3%25%8%39% (1996 est.)6,000 sq km (1996 est.)floodingwater pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rainAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingBiodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollocated at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)15,981,472 (July 2001 est.) 18.38% (male 1,501,925; female 1,436,017) 67.9% (male 5,518,575; female 5,333,442) 13.72% (male 899,052; female 1,292,461) (2001 est.)0.55% (2001 est.)11.85 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.43 years 75.55 years 81.44 years (2001 est.)1.65 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.19% (1999 est.)15,000 (1999 est.)100 (1999 est.)Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)DutchDutch 91%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 9% (1999 est.)Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40% (1998)Dutch age 15 and over can read and write 99% (2000 est.) NA% NA%Kingdom of the NetherlandsNetherlandsKoninkrijk der NederlandenNederlandconstitutional monarchyAmsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government12 provinces (provincien, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland Dependent areas- Aruba, Netherlands Antilles1579 (from Spain)Queen s Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 Apriladopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarchPrime Minister Wim KOK (since 22 August 1994) and Vice Prime Ministers Annemarie JORRITSMA (since 3 August 1998) and Els BORST-EILERS (since 3 August 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch note- government coalition - PvdA, VVD, and D 66; there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors consulted by the executive on legislative and administrative policybicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country s 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) First Chamber - last held 25 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2003); Second Chamber - last held 6 May 1998 (next to be held May 2002) First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 20, VVD 19, PvdA 15, D 66 4, other 17; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - PvdA 30.0%, VVD 25.3%, CDA 19.3%, D 66 9.3%, other 16.1%; seats by party - PvdA 45, VVD 38, CDA 29, D 66 14, other 24Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch)Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Jaap de Hoop SCHEFFER]; Democrats 66 or D 66 [Tom DE GRAAF]; Labor Party or PvdA [Wim KOK]; People s Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Hans F. DIJKSTAL]; a host of minor partiesFederation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands EnterprisesAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Joris M. VOS 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 244-5300 [1] (202) 362-3430 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York consulate(s)- Boston Ambassador Cynthia P. SCHNEIDER Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 [31] (70) 310-9209 [31] (70) 361-4688 Amsterdamthree equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer Netherlands EconomyThe Netherlands is a prosperous and open economy depending heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Dutch rank third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. The Dutch economy has expanded by 3% or more in each of the last four years and real GDP growth is likely to be about 3.6% in 2001. The government in 2001 will implement its most comprehensive tax reform since World War II, designed to reduce high income tax levels and redirect the fiscal burden onto consumption. The Dutch were among the first 11 EU countries establishing the euro currency zone on 1 January 1999.purchasing power parity - $388.4 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $24,400 (2000 est.)3.3%26.3%70.4% (2000 est.)NA%2.8%25.1% (1994)2.6% (2000 est.)7.2 million (2000)services 73%, industry 23%, agriculture 4% (1998 est.)2.6% (2000 est.)$134 billion$134 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing3.2% (2000)85.294 billion kWh (1999)90.25%0.11%4.27% 5.37% (1999)97.76 billion kWh (1999)3.97 billion kWh (1999)22.407 billion kWh (1999)grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock$210.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffsEU 78% (Germany 26%, Belgium-Luxembourg 12%, France 12%, UK 11%, Italy 6%), Central and Eastern Europe, US (2000)$201.2 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs, clothingEU 56% (Germany 18%, Belgium-Luxembourg 10%, UK 5%, France 6%), US 9%, Central and Eastern Europe (2000)$0 Economic aid - donor- ODA, $3.5 billion (2000 est.)Netherlands guilder (NLG); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in the Netherlands at a fixed rate of 2.20371 Netherlands guilders per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002NLG; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Netherlands guilders per US dollar - 1.9837 (1998), 1.9513 (1997), 1.6859 (1996)calendar year Netherlands Communications9,132,400 (1999)4,081,891 (April 1999) highly developed and well maintained the existing system of multi-conductor cables is gradually being replaced by fiber-optic cables; the density of cellular telephone traffic is rapidly increasing and further modernization of the system is expected in the year 2001, with the introduction of the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (1996)AM 4, FM 58, shortwave 3 (1998)15.3 million (1996)21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995)8.1 million (1997).nl52 (2000)6.8 million (2000)2,739 km2,739 km 1.435-m gauge; (1,991 km electrified) (1998)125,575 km113,018 km (including 2,235 km of expressways)12,557 km (1998)5,046 km note- 47% of total route length is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity or largercrude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas 10,230 kmAmsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht, Vlissingen596 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,321,500 GRT/4,877,632 DWTbulk 3, cargo 371, chemical tanker 43, container 59, liquefied gas 21, livestock carrier 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 9, passenger 8, petroleum tanker 26, refrigerated cargo 29, roll on/roll off 18, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 5 (2000 est.)28 (2000 est.) 19 2 7 6 3 1 (2000 est.) 9 3 6 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary20 years of agemales age 15-49- 4,083,349 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,555,501 (2001 est.)males- 96,082 (2001 est.)$6.5 billion (FY00/01 est.)1.5% (FY00/01 est.)international- nonemajor European producer of illicit amphetamine and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasyNetherlands AntillesOnce the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Sint Maarten is shared with France; its northern portion is named Saint Martin and is part of Guadeloupe.Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela; the other is east of the Virgin Islands12 15 N, 68 45 WCentral America and the Caribbean960 sq km960 sq km0 sq km note- includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)more than five times the size of Washington, DCtotal- 10.2 kmGuadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km364 kmexclusive fishing zone- 12 NM12 NMtropical; ameliorated by northeast trade windsgenerally hilly, volcanic interiorsCaribbean Sea 0 mMount Scenery 862 mphosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)10%0%0%0%90% (1993 est.)NA sq kmCuracao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to OctoberNA212,226 (July 2001 est.) 25.21% (male 27,332; female 26,169) 66.99% (male 67,562; female 74,599) 7.8% (male 6,874; female 9,690) (2001 est.)0.97% (2001 est.)16.55 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2001 est.)11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 74.94 years 72.76 years 77.22 years (2001 est.)2.07 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANADutch Antillean(s)Dutch Antilleanmixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, white, East AsianRoman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day AdventistDutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish age 15 and over can read and write 98% 98% 99% (1981 est.)noneNetherlands AntillesnoneNederlandse AntillenCuracao and Dependenciespart of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairsparliamentaryWillemstadnone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note- each island has its own governmentnone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)Queen s Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amendedbased on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 12 NMQueen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989)Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 8 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Susanne CAMELIA-ROMER (since NA) note- Miguel POURIER assumed prime ministership following the resignation of Susanne CAMELIA-ROMERCouncil of Ministers elected by the Staten the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002) note- government coalition - PDB, DP-St. M, FOL, PLKP, PNPunicameral States or Staten (22 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PAR 4, PNP 3, SPA 1, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, PLKP 3, WIPM 1, SEA 1, DP-St. M 2, FOL 2; no party won enough seats to form a government note- the government of Prime Minister Miguel POURIER is a coalition of several parties; current seats by party - PAR 4, PNP 3, FOL 2, MAN 2, UPB 2, DP-St. M 2, PDB 1, SEA 1, WIPM 1, other 4Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)Antillean Restructuring Party or PAR [Miguel POURIER]; C 93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics or FAME [Eric LODEWIJKS]; Labor Party People s Crusade or PLKP [Errol COVA]; National People s Party or PNP [Susanne F. C. CAMELIA-ROMER]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Kenneth GIJSBERTHA]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramon BOOI]; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA [Vance JAMES, Jr.]; People s Party or PAPU [Richard Hodi]; Pro Curacao Party or PPK [Winston LOURENS]; Saba Democratic Labor Movement [Steve HASSELL]; Saba Unity Party [Carmen SIMMONDS]; St. Eustatius Alliance or SEA [Kenneth VAN PUTTEN]; Serious Alternative People s Party or Sapp [Julian ROLLOCKS]; Social Action Cause or KAS [Benny DEMEI]; Windward Islands People s Movement or WIPM [Will JOHNSTON]; Workers Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT, Rignald LAK, Editha WRIGHT] note- political parties are indigenous to each islandNACaricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO, WToO (associate) Consul General Barbara J. STEPHENSON consulate(s) general- J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao [599] (9) 4613066 J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao mailing address- P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone- [599] (9) 4613066 FAX- [599] (9) 4616489white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten Netherlands Antilles EconomyTourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined slightly in each of the past five years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela, the US, and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture.purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2000 est.)-3.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2000 est.)1%15%84% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%6.4% (2000 est.)89,000agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (1994 est.)14.9% (1998 est.)$710.8 million$741.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)NA%1.11 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.032 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit$276 million (f.o.b., 2000)petroleum productsUS 17.5%, Guatemala 8%, Costa Rica 6.5%, The Bahamas 4.6%, Jamaica 4.1%, Chile 3.4% (1998)$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)crude petroleum, food, manufacturesVenezuela 35.3%, US 21%, Mexico 9.8%, Italy 5.4%, Netherlands 4.8%, Brazil 3.1% (1998)$1.35 billion (1996)IMF provided $61 million in 2000, and the Netherlands continued its support with $40 millionNetherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)ANGNetherlands Antillean guilders per US dollar - 1.790 (fixed rate since 1989)calendar year Netherlands Antilles Communications76,000 (1995)13,977 (1996) generally adequate facilities extensive interisland microwave radio relay links submarine cables - 2; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)217,000 (1997)3 (there is also a cable service which supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and two Venezuelan channels) (1997)69,000 (1997).an62,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km600 km300 km300 km (1992)noneKralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad123 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,113,774 GRT/1,397,841 DWTbulk 1, cargo 35, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 3, container 19, liquefied gas 4, multi-functional large-load carrier 19, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 28, roll on/roll off 7 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Belgium 8, Germany 1, Italy 1 (2000 est.)5 (2000 est.) 5 1 2 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Police Force20 years of agemales age 15-49- 54,284 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 30,405 (2001 est.)males- 1,610 (2001 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlandsinternational- nonemoney-laundering center; transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and EuropeNew CaledoniaSettled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s seems to have dissipated.Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia21 30 S, 165 30 EOceania19,060 sq km18,575 sq km485 sq kmslightly smaller than New Jersey0 km2,254 km200 NM12 NMtropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humidcoastal plains with interior mountainsPacific Ocean 0 mMont Panie 1,628 mnickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper0%0%12%39%49% (1993 est.)160 sq km (1991)cyclones, most frequent from November to Marcherosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires204,863 (July 2001 est.) 30.31% (male 31,674; female 30,416) 63.95% (male 66,014; female 65,006) 5.74% (male 5,548; female 6,205) (2001 est.)1.48% (2001 est.)20.37 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.62 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.02 years 70.08 years 76.11 years (2001 est.)2.48 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANANew Caledonian(s)New CaledonianMelanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects age 15 and over can read and write 91% 92% 90% (1976 est.)Territory of New Caledonia and DependenciesNew CaledoniaTerritoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et DependancesNouvelle-Caledonieoverseas territory of France since 1956NANoumeanone (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sudnone (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not passBastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law18 years of age; universalPresident of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner Thierry LATASTE (since 19 July 1999)President of the Government Jean LEQUES (since 28 May 1999)Consultative Committee French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congressunicameral Territorial Congress or Congres Territorial (54 seats; members are members of the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 9 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPCR 24, FLNKS 12, UNI 6, FCCI 4, FN 4, Alliance pour la Caledonie 3, LKS 1 note- New Caledonia elects 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be held NA September 2001); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 1; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 2Court of Appeal or Cour d Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children s CourtAlliance pour la Caledonie [Didier LEROUX]; Developper Ensemble pour Construire l Avenir or DEPCA [Robert FROUIN]; Federation des Comites de Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Leopald SOREDIE]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Groupe de l Alliance Multiraciale or GAM [Dany DALMAYRAE]; Independance et Progres [Alphonse PUJAPUJANE]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS [Rock WAMYTAN] (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); La Caledonie Autrement [Denis MILLIARD]; Loyalty Islands Development Front or FDIL [Cono HAMU]; National Front or FN [Guy GEORGE]; Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Charles WASHETINE]; Rally for Caledonia in the Republic or RPCR [Jacques LAFLEUR]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [leader NA]; Renouveau [Thierry VALET]; Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS [Nidoish NAISSELINE]; Union Caledonienne or UC [Bernard LEPEU]; Union Nationale pour l Independance or UNI [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM [Andre GOPEA]NAESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMOthe flag of France is used New Caledonia EconomyNew Caledonia has more than 20% of the world s known nickel resources. In recent years, the economy has suffered because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, the substantial financial support from France and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. The situation in 1998 was clouded by the spillover of financial problems in East Asia and by lower prices for nickel. Nickel prices jumped in 1999-2000, and large additions were made to capacity. French Government interests in the New Caledonian nickel industry are being transferred to local ownership.purchasing power parity - $3 billion (1998 est.)3.5% (1998 est.)purchasing power parity - $15,000 (1998 est.)4%30%66% (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%1.5% (1998 est.)79,395 (including 15, 018 unemployed, 1996)agriculture 7%, industry 23%, services 70% (1999 est.)19% (1996)$861.3 million$735.3 million, including capital expenditures of $52 million (1996 est.)nickel mining and smelting-0.6% (1996)1.52 billion kWh (1999)78.95%21.05%0% 0% (1999)1.414 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products$411 million (f.o.b., 1999)ferronickels, nickel ore, fishJapan 27%, France 17%, Taiwan 12%, South Korea 9% (1999)$843 million (f.o.b., 1999)transport equipment, machinery and electrical equipment, fuels, minerals, wine, sugar, riceFrance 49%, Australia 14%, Singapore 6%, New Zealand 5%, US 5% (1999)$79 million (1998 est.)$880 million annual subsidy from FranceComptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)XPFComptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 127.11 (January 2001), 129.44 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996); note - linked at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the eurocalendar year New Caledonia Communications47,000 (1997)13,040 (1998) NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)107,000 (1997)6 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1997)52,000 (1997).nc1 (2000)5,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km4,825 km2,287 km2,538 km (1999)noneMueo, Noumea, Thio1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,261 GRT/1,600 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)29 (2000 est.) 6 1 4 1 (2000 est.) 23 12 11 (2000 est.)6 (2000 est.)French Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force$192.3 million (1996)5.3% (1996) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and VanuatuNew ZealandThe British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand withdrew from a number of defense alliances during the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years the government has sought to address longstanding native Maori grievances.Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia41 00 S, 174 00 EOceania268,680 sq km268,670 sq km10 sq km note- includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islandsabout the size of Colorado0 km15,134 km200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtemperate with sharp regional contrastspredominately mountainous with some large coastal plainsPacific Ocean 0 mMount Cook 3,764 mnatural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone9%5%50%28%8% (1993 est.)2,850 sq km (1993 est.)earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activitydeforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outsideAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAntarctic Seals, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservationabout 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world3,864,129 (July 2001 est.) 22.36% (male 442,738; female 421,462) 66.11% (male 1,281,781; female 1,272,674) 11.53% (male 193,895; female 251,579) (2001 est.)1.14% (2001 est.)14.28 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.56 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.99 years 75.01 years 81.1 years (2001 est.)1.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.06% (1999 est.)1,200 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)New Zealander(s)New ZealandNew Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986)English (official), Maori age 15 and over can read and write 99% (1980 est.) NA% NA%noneNew Zealand abbreviation- NZparliamentary democracyWellington93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce, Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke, Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin, Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*, Hawke s Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki, Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea, Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*, Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island, Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo, Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West, Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa, Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodville note- there may be a new administrative structure of 16 regions (Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke s Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wanganui-Manawatu, Wellington, West Coast) that are subdivided into 57 districts and 16 cities* (Ashburton, Auckland*, Banks Peninsula, Buller, Carterton, Central Hawke s Bay, Central Otago, Christchurch*, Clutha, Dunedin*, Far North, Franklin, Gisborne, Gore, Grey, Hamilton*, Hastings, Hauraki, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt*, Invercargill*, Kaikoura, Kaipara, Kapiti Coast, Kawerau, Mackenzie, Manawatu, Manukau*, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata Piako, Napier*, Nelson*, New Plymouth, North Shore*, Opotiki, Otorohanga, Palmerston North*, Papakura*, Porirua*, Queenstown Lakes, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Selwyn, Southland, South Taranaki, South Waikato, South Wairarapa, Stratford, Tararua, Tasman, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames Coromandel, Timaru, Upper Hutt*, Waikato, Waimakariri, Waimate, Waipa, Wairoa, Waitakere*, Waitaki, Waitomo, Wanganui, Wellington*, Western Bay of Plenty, Westland, Whakatane, Whangarei) Dependent areas- Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau26 September 1907 (from UK)Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments and The Constitution Act 1986 which is the principal formal charterbased on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001)Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December 1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Jim ANDERTON (since 10 December 1999)Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor generalunicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies to serve three-year terms) last held 27 November 1999 (next must be called by November 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NZLP 49, NP 39, Alliance 10, ACT New Zealand 9, Green Party 7, NZFP 5, UNZ 1 note- NZLP and Alliance formed the government coalition; the National Party became the opposition partyHigh Court; Court of AppealACT, New Zealand [Richard PREBBLE]; Alliance (a coalition of the New Labor Party, Democratic Party, New Zealand Liberal Party, and Mana Motuhake) [Jim ANDERTON]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS and Rod DONALD]; National Party or NP [Jenny SHIPLEY]; New Zealand First Party or NZFP [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Helen CLARK]; United New Zealand or UNZ [Peter DUNNE]NAABEDA, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador James Brendan BOLGER 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 328-4800 [1] (202) 667-5227 Los Angeles, New York Ambassador Carol MOSELEY-BRAUN 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001 [64] (4) 472-2068 [64] (4) 478-1701 Aucklandblue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation New Zealand EconomySince 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, moving an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP has been moving up toward the levels of the big West European economies. New Zealand s heavy dependence on trade leaves its growth prospects vulnerable to economic performance in Asia, Europe, and the US. With the FY00/01 budget pushing up pension and other public outlays, the government s ability to meet fiscal targets will depend on sustained economic growth.purchasing power parity - $67.6 billion (2000 est.)3.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2000 est.)8%23%69% (1999)NA%0.3%29.8% (1991 est.)2.4% (2000 est.)1.88 million (2000)services 65%, industry 25%, agriculture 10% (1995)6.3% (2000 est.)$19.2 billion$19.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining6.2% (2000)37.952 billion kWh (1999)30.49%61.42%0% 8.09% (1999)35.295 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish$14.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)dairy products, meat, fish, wool, forestry products, manufacturesAustralia 22%, US 14%, Japan 13%, UK 7% (1999)$14.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plasticsAustralia 24%, US 17%, Japan 12%, UK 4% (1999)$30.8 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $123 million (1995)New Zealand dollar (NZD)NZDNew Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)1 July - 30 June New Zealand Communications1.84 million (1997)588,000 (1998) excellent domestic and international systems NA submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998)3.75 million (1997)41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)1.926 million (1997).nz36 (2000)1.34 million (2000)3,913 km3,913 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified) (1999)92,200 km53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways)38,632 km (1996)1,609 km note- of little importance in satisfying total transportation requirementspetroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 150 kmAuckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 72,389 GRT/109,018 DWTbulk 3, cargo 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)111 (2000 est.) 44 2 1 10 28 3 (2000 est.) 67 1 24 42 (2000 est.)New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force20 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,000,102 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 841,915 (2001 est.)males- 26,480 (2001 est.)$883 million (FY97/98)1.1% (FY97/98)international- territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)NicaraguaSettled as a colony of Spain in the 1520s, Nicaragua gained its independence in 1821. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990 and again in 1996 saw the Sandinistas defeated. The country has slowly rebuilt its economy during the 1990s, but was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras13 00 N, 85 00 WCentral America and the Caribbean129,494 sq km120,254 sq km9,240 sq kmslightly smaller than the state of New Yorktotal- 1,231 kmCosta Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km910 kmnatural prolongation200 NMtropical in lowlands, cooler in highlandsextensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoesPacific Ocean 0 mMogoton 2,438 mgold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish9%1%46%27%17% (1993 est.)880 sq km (1993 est.)destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionally severe hurricanesdeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; Hurricane Mitch damageBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsEnvironmental Modification4,918,393 (July 2001 est.) 38.98% (male 976,087; female 941,141) 58.08% (male 1,418,555; female 1,438,096) 2.94% (male 62,963; female 81,551) (2001 est.)2.15% (2001 est.)27.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.82 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)33.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.05 years 67.1 years 71.11 years (2001 est.)3.18 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.2% (1999 est.)4,900 (1999 est.)360 (1999 est.)Nicaraguan(s)Nicaraguanmestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%Roman Catholic 85%, ProtestantSpanish (official) note- English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast age 15 and over can read and write 65.7% 64.6% 66.6% (1995 est.)Republic of NicaraguaNicaraguaRepublica de NicaraguaNicaraguarepublicManagua15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento), 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonomista); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*15 September 1821 (from Spain)Independence Day, 15 September (1821)9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts16 years of age; universalPresident Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (since 10 January 1997); Vice President Leopoldo NAVARRO (since 24 October 2000); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentPresident Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (since 10 January 1997); Vice President Leopoldo NAVARRO (since 24 October 2000); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held 4 November 2001); note - in July 1995 the term of the office of the president was amended to five years Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (Liberal Alliance - ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 51.03%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (PCCN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE (PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (PRONAL) 0.53%, other (18 other candidates) 4.33%unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held 4 November 2001) percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance (ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, FSLN 36.55%, PCCN 3.73%, PCN 2.12%, MRS 1.33%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN 36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 Alliance 1Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for seven-year terms by the National Assembly)Conservative Party of Nicaragua or PCN [Dr. Fernando AGUERO Rocha]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Virgilio GODOY]; Liberal Alliance (ruling alliance including Liberal Constitutional Party or PLC, New Liberal Party or PALI, Independent Liberal Party for National Unity or PLIUN, and Central American Unionist Party or PUCA) [leader NA]; National Conservative Party or PC [Pedro SOLARZANO, Noel VIDAURRE]; National Project or PRONAL [Benjamin LANZAS]; Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or PCCN [Guillermo OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ]; Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN [Salvador TALAVERA]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Sergio RAMIREZ]; Unity Alliance or AU [Alejandro SERRANO]; Union Nacional Opositora 96 or UNO-96 [Alfredo CESAR Aguirre]National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions including - Farm Workers Association or ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG, Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including - Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of business groupsBCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Alfonso ORTEGA Urbina 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 939-6570 [1] (202) 939-6542 Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York Ambassador Oliver P. GARZA Apartado Postal 327, Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua APO AA 34021 [505] (2) 662298, 666010, 666012, 666013, 666015, 666018, 666026, 666027, 666032, 666033 [505] (2) 669074three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Nicaragua EconomyNicaragua, one of the hemisphere s poorest countries, faces low per capita income, flagging socio-economic indicators, and huge external debt. While the country has made progress toward macro-economic stabilization over the past few years, a banking crisis and scandal has shaken the economy. Managua will continue to be dependent on international aid and debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Donors have made aid conditional on improving governability, the openness of government financial operation, poverty alleviation, and human rights. Nicaragua met the conditions for additional debt service relief in December 2000. Growth should remain moderate to high in 2001.purchasing power parity - $13.1 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2000 est.)31.6%22.8%45.6% (1999)50% (2000 est.)1.6%39.8% (1993)11% (2000 est.)1.7 million (1999)services 43%, agriculture 42%, industry 15% (1999 est.)20% plus considerable underemployment (1999 est.)$734 million$836 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood4.4% (2000 est.)2.349 billion kWh (1999)67.26%17.71%0% 15.03% (1999)2.265 billion kWh (1999)20 million kWh (1999)100 million kWh (1999)coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products$631 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)coffee, shrimp and lobster, cotton, tobacco, beef, sugar, bananas; goldUS 37.7%, El Salvador 12.5%, Germany 9.8%, Costa Rica 5.1%, Spain 2.5%, France 2.1% (1999)$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products, consumer goodsUS 34.5%, Costa Rica 11.4%, Guatemala 7.3%, Panama 6.9%, Venezuela 5.9%, El Salvador 5.5% (1999)$6.4 billion (2000 est.)NAgold cordoba (NIO)NIOgold cordobas per US dollar - 12.96 (November 2000), 12.69 (2000 est.), 11.81 (1999), 10.58 (1998), 9.45 (1997), 8.44 (1996)calendar year Nicaragua Communications140,000 (1996)7,911 (1997) inadequate system being upgraded by foreign investment low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 63, FM 32, shortwave 1 (1998)1.24 million (1997)3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)320,000 (1997).ni3 (2000)20,000 (2000)16,382 km1,818 km14,564 km (1998)2,220 km (including 2 large lakes)crude oil 56 kmBluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)182 (2000 est.) 11 2 3 3 3 (2000 est.) 171 1 25 145 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,269,322 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 779,267 (2001 est.)males- 58,232 (2001 est.)$26 million (FY98)1.2% (FY98)international- territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Honduras in the Caribbean Sea is before the ICJ; legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Ricatransshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealingNigerNot until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did Niger hold its first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord ended a five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and 1999 were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation Council that effected a transition to civilian rule in December 1999.Western Africa, southeast of Algeria16 00 N, 8 00 EAfrica1.267 million sq km1,266,700 sq km300 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Texastotal- 5,697 kmAlgeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme southpredominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in northNiger River 200 mMont Greboun 1,944 muranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum3%0%7%2%88% (1993 est.)660 sq km (1993 est.)recurring droughtsovergrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destructionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sealandlocked10,355,156 (July 2001 est.) 47.97% (male 2,528,484; female 2,439,051) 49.75% (male 2,518,400; female 2,633,677) 2.28% (male 123,589; female 111,955) (2001 est.)2.72% (2001 est.)50.68 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)22.71 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)123.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 41.59 years 41.74 years 41.44 years (2001 est.)7.08 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.35% (1999 est.)64,000 (1999 est.)6,500 (1999 est.)Nigerien(s)NigerienHausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French expatriatesMuslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and ChristiansFrench (official), Hausa, Djerma age 15 and over can read and write 13.6% 20.9% 6.6% (1995 est.)Republic of NigerNigerRepublique du NigerNigerrepublicNiamey7 departments (departements, singular - departement), and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder3 August 1958 (from France)Republic Day, 18 December (1958)the constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996 and again by referendum on 18 July 1999based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentPresident Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) was appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president note- President Ibrahim BARE was assassinated on 9 April 1999; subsequent elections were held under the nine-month provisional government of Major Daouda Mallam WANKE23-member cabinet appointed by President TANDJA president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Mamadou TANDJA elected president; percent of vote - Mamadou TANDJA 59.9%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 40.1%unicameral National Assembly (83 seats, members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) last held 24 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNSD-Nassara 38, CDS-Rahama 17, PNDS-Tarayya 16, RDP-Jama a 8, ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya 4State Court or Cour d Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d AppelDemocratic Rally of the People-Jama a or RDP-Jama a [Hamid ALGABID]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Mamadou TANDJA, chairman]; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Union of Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua or UPDP-Chamoua [Professor Andre SALIFOU, chairman]NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Joseph DIATTA 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 Ambassador Charles O. CECIL Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey B. P. 11201, Niamey [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 [227] 73 31 67three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band Niger EconomyNiger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, because of declining world demand. The 50% devaluation of the West African franc in January 1994 boosted exports of livestock, cowpeas, onions, and the products of Niger s small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid - which was suspended following the April 1999 coup d etat - for operating expenses and public investment. In 2000, the World Bank approved a structural adjustment loan of $35 million to help support fiscal reforms. However, reforms could prove difficult given the government s bleak financial situation.purchasing power parity - $10 billion (2000 est.)3.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)40%18%42% (1998)63% (1993 est.)0.8%35.4% (1995)2.8% (2000 est.)70,000 receive regular wages or salariesagriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%NA%$377 million, including $146 million from foreign sources$377 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1999 est.)uranium mining, cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhousesNA%200 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)401 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)215 million kWh (1999)cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry$385 million (f.o.b., 1999)uranium ore 65%, livestock products, cowpeas, onions (1998 est.)France 45%, Nigeria 27%, UK 11% (1999)$317 million (f.o.b., 1999)consumer goods, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cerealsFrance 22%, Cote d Ivoire 15%, Nigeria 8%, US 3% (1999)$1.3 billion (1999 est.)$341 million (1997) note- the IMF approved a $73 million poverty reduction and growth facility for Niger in 2000 and announced $115 million in debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiativeCommunaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African StatesXOFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per eurocalendar year Niger Communications16,000 (1997)13,000 (1995) small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)AM 5, FM 5, shortwave 4 (1998)680,000 (1997)10 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)125,000 (1997).ne1 (2000)3,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km10,100 km798 km9,302 km (1996)300 km note- the Niger River is navigable from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through Marchnone27 (2000 est.) 9 2 6 1 (2000 est.) 18 1 15 2 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Police18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,202,608 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,190,787 (2001 est.)males- 108,993 (2001 est.)$20 million (FY96)1.1% (FY96)international- Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger; delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, has been completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and NigeriaNigeriaFollowing nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999 and a peaceful transition to civilian government completed. The new president faces the daunting task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability.Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon10 00 N, 8 00 EAfrica923,768 sq km910,768 sq km13,000 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Californiatotal- 4,047 kmBenin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km853 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMvaries; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in northsouthern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in northAtlantic Ocean 0 mChappal Waddi 2,419 mnatural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, arable land33%3%44%12%8% (1993 est.)9,570 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughtssoil degradation; rapid deforestation; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements126,635,626 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 43.71% (male 27,842,225; female 27,514,197) 53.47% (male 34,456,738; female 33,259,194) 2.82% (male 1,780,862; female 1,782,410) (2001 est.)2.61% (2001 est.)39.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.91 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)73.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 51.07 years 51.07 years 51.07 years (2001 est.)5.57 children born/woman (2001 est.)5.06% (1999 est.)2.7 million (1999 est.)250,000 (1999 est.)Nigerian(s)NigerianNigeria, which is Africa s most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential- Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani age 15 and over can read and write 57.1% 67.3% 47.3% (1995 est.)Federal Republic of NigeriaNigeriarepublic transitioning from military to civilian ruleAbuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices have now made the move to Abuja36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara1 October 1960 (from UK)Independence Day, 1 October (1960)NA 1999 new constitution adoptedbased on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (only in some northern states), and traditional law18 years of age; universalPresident Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentFederal Executive Council president is elected by popular vote for no more than two four-year terms; election last held 27 February 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent of vote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 62.8%, Olu FALAE (APP-AD) 37.2%bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (109 seats, three from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats, members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 20-24 February 1999 (next to be held NA 2003); House of Representatives - last held 20-24 February 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 58%, APP 23%, AD 19%; seats by party - PDP 67, APP 23, AD 19; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 58%, APP 30%, AD 12%; seats by party - PDP 221, APP 70, AD 69Supreme Court (judges appointed by the Provisional Ruling Council); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee)All People s Party or APP [Alhaji Yusuf ALI]; Alliance for Democracy or AD [contested between Yusuf MAMMAN and Alhasi Adamu ABDULKADIR]; People s Democratic Party or PDP [Barnabas GEMADE]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Jibril AMINU 1333 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 986-8400 [1] (202) 775-1385 Atlanta and New York Ambassador Howard Franklin JETER 8 Mambilla Drive, Abuja P. O. Box 554, Lagos [234] (1) 261-0050, -0078 [234] (1) 261-0257three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green Nigeria EconomyThe oil-rich Nigerian economy, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management, is undergoing substantial economic reform under the new civilian administration. Nigeria s former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion loan from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. Increases in foreign investment and oil production combined with high world oil prices should push growth over 4% in 2001-02.purchasing power parity - $117 billion (2000 est.)3.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $950 (2000 est.)40%40%20% (1999 est.)45% (2000 est.)1.6%40.8% (1996-97)6.5% (2000 est.)66 million (1999 est.)agriculture 70%, industry 10%, services 20% (1999 est.)28% (1992 est.)$3.4 billion$3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel1.5% (2000 est.)18.7 billion kWh (1999)52.94%47.06%0% 0% (1999)17.372 billion kWh (1999)19 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish$22.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubberUS 36%, India 9%, Spain 8%, Brazil 6%, France 6%, (1999)$10.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animalsUK 11%, Germany 10%, US 9%, France 8%, China 6% (1999)$32 billion (2000 est.)ODA $250 million (1998)naira (NGN)NGNnairas per US dollar - 110.005 (January 2001), 101.697 (2000), 92.338 (1999), 21.886 (1998), 21.886 (1997), 21.884 (1996)calendar year Nigeria Communications500,000 (2000)26,700 (1997) an inadequate system, further limited by poor maintenance; major expansion is required and a start has been made intercity traffic is carried by coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, a domestic communications satellite system with 19 earth stations, and a coastal submarine cable; mobile cellular facilities and the Internet are available satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); coaxial submarine cable SAFE (South African Far East)AM 82, FM 35, shortwave 11 (1998)23.5 million (1997)2 government-controlled; note - in addition, in 1993, 14 licenses to operate private television stations were granted (1999)6.9 million (1997).ng11 (2000)100,000 (2000)3,557 km52 km 1.435-m gauge3,505 km 1.067-m gauge note- years of neglect of both the rolling stock and the right-of-way have seriously reduced the capacity and utility of the system; a project to restore Nigeria s railways is now underway194,394 km60,068 km (including 1,194 km of expressways)134,326 km note- many of the roads reported as paved may be graveled; because of poor maintenance and years of heavy freight traffic - in part the result of the failure of the railroad system - much of the road system is barely usable (1997)8,575 km note- consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creekscrude oil 2,042 km; petroleum products 3,000 km; natural gas 500 kmCalabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 357,372 GRT/636,254 DWTbulk 1, cargo 10, chemical tanker 4, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)70 (2000 est.) 36 7 10 10 7 2 (2000 est.) 34 2 14 18 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 29,940,922 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 17,201,367 (2001 est.)males- 1,375,112 (2001 est.)$360 million (FY00)10% (FY00)international- delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, has been completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Cameroon over land and maritime boundaries around the Bakasi Peninsula is currently before the ICJ; tripartite maritime boundary and economic zone dispute with Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon is currently before the ICJfacilitates movement of heroin en route from Southeast and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and North America; increasingly a transit route for cocaine from South America intended for European, East Asian, and North American marketsNiueNiue s remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to 2,100 in 2000) with substantial emigration to New Zealand.Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga19 02 S, 169 52 WOceania260 sq km260 sq km0 sq km1.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km64 km200 NM12 NMtropical; modified by southeast trade windssteep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateauPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 mfish, arable land19%8%4%19%50% (1993 est.)NA sq kmtyphoonsincreasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agricultureBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, DesertificationLaw of the Seaone of world s largest coral islands2,124 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%0.5% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANANiuean(s)NiueanPolynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans)Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 75%, Latter-Day Saints 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist)Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English NA 95% NA% NA%noneNiueSavage Islandself-governing in free association with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairsself-governing parliamentary democracyAlofinone; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages each with its own village council whose members are elected and serve three-year termson 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New ZealandWaitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since NA May 2000)Premier Sani LAKATANI (since 1 April 1999)Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 19 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2002) Sani LAKATANI elected premier; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA%unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives) last held 19 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 9, independents 11Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of NiueNiue People s Action Party or NPP [Sani LAKATANI]NAACP, ESCAP (associate), FAO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMOyellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross Niue EconomyGovernment expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and a financial services industry.purchasing power parity - $4.5 million (1997 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $2,800 (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%1% (1995)450 (1992 est.)most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development BoardNA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAtourism, handicrafts, food processingNA%3 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)2.8 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle$117,500 (f.o.b., 1989)canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicraftsNZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia$4.1 million (c.i.f., 1989)food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugsNZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Samoa, Australia, US$NA$8.3 million (1995)New Zealand dollar (NZD)NZDNew Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5082 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)1 April - 31 March Niue Communications376 (1991)0 (1991) primitive system single-line telephone system connects all villages on island NAAM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)1,000 (1997)1 (1997)NA.nu1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km234 km86 km148 km (106 km of which is access and plantation road) (2001)nonenone; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Police Force Military - note- defense is the responsibility of New Zealandinternational- noneNorfolk IslandTwo British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia29 02 S, 167 57 EOceania34.6 sq km34.6 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC0 km32 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMsubtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variationvolcanic formation with mostly rolling plainsPacific Ocean 0 mMount Bates 319 mfish0%0%25%0%75% (1993 est.)NA sq kmtyphoons (especially May to July)NA1,879 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%-0.71% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANANorfolk Islander(s)Norfolk Islander(s)descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, PolynesiansAnglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986)English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient TahitianTerritory of Norfolk IslandNorfolk Islandterritory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport, and TerritoriesNAKingstonnone (territory of Australia)none (territory of Australia)Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856)Norfolk Island Act of 1979based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997)Assembly President and Chief Minister Ronald Coane NOBBS (since 23 February 2000)Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the Administrator the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years; election last held 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March 2003) Ronald Coane NOBBS elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA%unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms) last held 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March 2003) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessionsnonenonenonethree vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band Norfolk Island EconomyTourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.purchasing power parity - $NANA%purchasing power parity - $NANA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%1,395 (1991 est.)tourism NA%, subsistence agriculture NA%NA%$4.6 million$4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92/93)tourismNA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhNorfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry$1.5 million (f.o.b., FY91/92)postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocadosAustralia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe$17.9 million (c.i.f., FY91/92)NAAustralia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe$NA$NAAustralian dollar (AUD)AUDAustralian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)1 July - 30 June Norfolk Island Communications1,087 (1983)0 (1983) adequate NA radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia)AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)2,500 (1996)1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in Australian programs by satellite) (1998)1,200 (1996).nf2 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km80 km53 km27 km (2001)nonenone; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Australiainternational- noneNorthern Mariana IslandsUnder US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines15 12 N, 145 45 EOceania477 sq km477 sq km0 sq km note- includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian2.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km1,482 km200 NM12 NMtropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to Octobersouthern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanicPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location on Agrihan 965 marable land, fish21%0%19%0%60%NA sq kmactive volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with developmentstrategic location in the North Pacific Ocean74,612 (July 2001 est.) 23.55% (male 8,929; female 8,639) 74.72% (male 26,242; female 29,509) 1.73% (male 639; female 654) (2001 est.)3.62% (2001 est.)20.6 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.4 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.74 years 72.65 years 79.02 years (2001 est.)1.76 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANANANAChamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, KoreanChristian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)English, Chamorro, Carolinian note- 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home age 15 and over can read and write 97% 97% 96% (1980 est.)Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsMariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairscommonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislatureSaipannone (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order; Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tiniannone (commonwealth in political union with the US)Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential electionsPresident George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)Governor Pedro P. TENORIO (since NA January 1998) and Lieutenant Governor Jesus R. SABLAN (since NA January 1998)NA US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held in NA November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2001) Pedro P. TENORIO elected governor in a three-way race; percent of vote - Pedro P. TENORIO (Republican Party) 47%bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) Senate - last held 9 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2001); House of Representatives - last held 9 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2001) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 6, Democratic Party 2, Reform Party 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 10, Democratic Party 8 note- the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Juan N. BABAUTA)Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District CourtDemocratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]NAESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), SPCblue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath Northern Mariana Islands EconomyThe economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with employment of 12,000 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions.purchasing power parity - $900 million (2000 est.) note- GDP numbers reflect US spendingNA%purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%1.2% (1997 est.)6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (1995)NANA%$221 million$213 million, including capital expenditures of $17.7 million (1996)tourism, construction, garments, handicraftsNA%NA kWhNA kWhcoconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle$NAgarmentsUS$NAfood, construction equipment and materials, petroleum productsUS, Japan$NAextensive funding from USUS dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 October - 30 September Northern Mariana Islands Communications21,000 (1996)1,200 (1995) NA NA satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)NA1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (1997)NA.mp1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km362 kmNA kmNA km (1991)noneSaipan, Tinian Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)6 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- noneNorwayDespite its neutrality, Norway was not able to avoid occupation by Germany in World War II. In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway s economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden62 00 N, 10 00 EEurope324,220 sq km307,860 sq km16,360 sq kmslightly larger than New Mexicototal- 2,515 kmFinland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 167 km21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km)10 NM200 NM200 NM4 NMtemperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers causing glaciers to grow; rainy year-round on west coastglaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in northNorwegian Sea 0 mGaldhopiggen 2,469 mpetroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower3%0%0%27%70% (1993 est.)970 sq km (1993 est.)rockslides, avalancheswater pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissionsAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolabout two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway is the only NATO member having a land boundary with Russia4,503,440 (July 2001 est.) 19.99% (male 462,673; female 437,514) 64.91% (male 1,482,346; female 1,440,832) 15.1% (male 282,307; female 397,768) (2001 est.)0.49% (2001 est.)12.6 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.83 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)3.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.79 years 75.87 years 81.92 years (2001 est.)1.81 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)1,600 (1999 est.)8 (1999)Norwegian(s)NorwegianNorwegian (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Sami 20,000Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10% (1997)Norwegian (official) note- small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities age 15 and over can read and write 100% NA% NA%Kingdom of NorwayNorwayKongeriket NorgeNorgeconstitutional monarchyOslo19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Dependent areas- Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved; 26 October 1905 Sweden agreed to the repeal of the unionConstitution Day, 17 May (1814); note - 17 May 1814 is the date of independence from Sweden, 7 June 1905 is the date Norway declared the union with Sweden was dissolved17 May 1814, modified in 1884mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalKing HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973)Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17 March 2000)State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of the Parliament none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the largest party or leader of a coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the Parliamentmodified unicameral Parliament or Storting which, for certain purposes, divides itself into two chambers (165 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held 15 September 1997 (next to be held 10 September 2001) percent of vote by party - Labor Party 35%, Center Party 7.9%, Conservative Party 14.3%, Christian People s Party 13.7%, Socialist Left Party 6%, Progress Party 15.3%, Liberal Party 4.4%, other parties 1.6%; seats by party - Labor Party 65, Center Party 11, Conservative Party 23, Christian People s Party 25, Socialist Left Party 9, Progress Party 25, Liberal Party 6, other parties 1 note- for certain purposes, the Parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house or LagtingSupreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)Center Party [Odd Roger ENOKSEN]; Christian People s Party [Kiell Magne BONDEVIK]; Conservative Party [Jan PETERSEN]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]NAAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-6000 [1] (202) 337-0870 Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco Ambassador Robin Chandler DUKE Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 [47] (22) 44 85 50 [47] (22) 43 07 77red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Norway EconomyThe Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises). The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices; in 1999, oil and gas accounted for 35% of exports. Only Saudi Arabia exports more oil than Norway. Oslo opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994. Growth picked up in 2000 to 2.7%, compared to the meager 0.8% of 1999, but may fall back in 2001. The government moved ahead with privatization in 2000, even proposing the sale of up to one-third of the 100% state-owned oil company Statoil. Despite their high per capita income and generous welfare benefits, Norwegians worry about that time in the next two decades when the oil and gas begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway has been saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $43 billion.purchasing power parity - $124.1 billion (1999 est.)2.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $27,700 (2000 est.)2%25%73% (1999)NA%4.1%21.8% (1995)2.9% (2000 est.)2.4 million (2000 est.)services 74%, industry 22%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4% (1995)3% (2000 est.)$71.7 billion$57.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing3% (2000 est.)121.084 billion kWh (1999)0.63%99.11%0% 0.26% (1999)110.795 billion kWh (1999)8.28 billion kWh (1999)6.467 billion kWh (1999)barley, other grains, potatoes; beef, milk; fish$59.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fishEU 73% (UK 17%, Germany 11%, Netherlands 10%, Sweden 9%), US 5% (1999)$35.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffsEU 66% (Sweden 15%, Germany 12%, UK 9%, Denmark 7%), US 10%, Japan (1999)$0 (Norway is a net external creditor) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)Norwegian krone (NOK)NOKNorwegian kroner per US dollar - 8.7784 (January 2001), 8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999), 7.5451 (1998), 7.0734 (1997), 6.4498 (1996)calendar year Norway Communications2.735 million (1998)2,080,408 (1998) modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobile systems instead of fixed wire systems 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)4.03 million (1997)360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)2.03 million (1997).no13 (2000)2.36 million (October 2000)4,012 km4,012 km 1.435-m gauge (2,530 km electrified; 96 km double track) (1998)91,180 km67,838 km (including 109 km of expressways)23,342 km (1999)1,577 km (along west coast) note- navigable by 2.4 m maximum draft vesselsrefined petroleum products 53 kmBergen, Drammen, Floro, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim764 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,667,370 GRT/32,100,208 DWTbulk 89, cargo 139, chemical tanker 114, combination bulk 9, combination ore/oil 37, container 15, liquefied gas 84, passenger 10, petroleum tanker 151, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 45, short-sea passenger 22, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 38 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Germany 1, Japan 1, Mexico 1, Sweden 1 (2000 est.)103 (2000 est.) 67 1 12 12 14 28 (2000 est.) 36 5 31 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (includes Coast Artillery and Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home Guard20 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,101,384 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 913,534 (2001 est.)males- 27,341 (2001 est.)$3.113 billion (FY98)2.1% (FY98)international- territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute between Norway and RussiaOmanIn 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman s moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE21 00 N, 57 00 EMiddle East212,460 sq km212,460 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Kansastotal- 1,374 kmSaudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km2,092 km24 NM200 NM12 NMdry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far southcentral desert plain, rugged mountains in north and southArabian Sea 0 mJabal Shams 2,980 mpetroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas0%0%5%0%95% (1993 est.)580 sq km (1993 est.)summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughtsrising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resourcesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whalingnone of the selected agreementsstrategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil2,622,198 note- includes 527,078 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) 41.51% (male 554,727; female 533,627) 56.12% (male 894,978; female 576,672) 2.37% (male 32,863; female 29,331) (2001 est.)3.43% (2001 est.)37.96 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.55 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 1.3 male(s)/female (2001 est.)22.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 72.04 years 69.9 years 74.29 years (2001 est.)6.04 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.11% (1999 est.)NANAOmani(s)OmaniArab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), AfricanIbadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi a Muslim, HinduArabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects NA approaching 80% NA% NA%Sultanate of OmanOmanSaltanat UmanUmanMuscat and OmanmonarchyMuscat6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board of Geographic Names (BGN)1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizensbased on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionin Oman s most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the Majlis ash-ShuraSultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of governmentSultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditarybicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by limited suffrage, however, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers) last held NA September 2000 (next to be held NA September 2003) NA; note - two women were elected for the first time to Majlis al-Shura, about 100,000 people votedSupreme Court note- the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has non-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judgesnonenoneABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988 [1] (202) 745-4933 Ambassador John B. CRAIG Jameat A Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat international- P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Medinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat [968] 698989 [968] 699189three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band Oman EconomyOman s economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000.purchasing power parity - $19.6 billion (2000 est.)4.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2000 est.)3%40%57% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%-0.8% (2000 est.)850,000 (1997 est.)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%NA%$4.7 billion$5.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $490 million (1999)crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper4% (2000 est.)8.63 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)8.026 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish$11.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textilesJapan 27%, China 12%, Thailand 18%, UAE 12%, South Korea 12%, US (1999)$4.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricantsUAE 26% (largely reexports), Japan 16%, UK 9%, Italy 7%, Germany 6%, US (1999)$4.5 billion (2000 est.)$76.4 million (1995)Omani rial (OMR)OMROmani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986)calendar year Oman Communications201,000 (1997)59,822 (1997) modern system consisting of open wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable open wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 ArabsatAM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)1.4 million (1997)13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)1.6 million (1997).om1 (2000)50,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km32,800 km9,840 km (including 550 km of expressways)22,960 km (1996)nonecrude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 kmMatrah, Mina al Fahl, Mina Raysut4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,167 GRT/11,307 DWTcargo 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2000 est.)143 (2000 est.) 6 4 1 1 (2000 est.) 137 2 6 56 37 36 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Royal Oman Police)14 years of agemales age 15-49- 771,919 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 429,811 (2001 est.)males- 26,469 (2001 est.)$2.4 billion (FY00)13% (FY00)international- boundary with the UAE has not been bilaterally defined; northern section in the Musandam Peninsula is an administrative boundaryPacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world s five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. 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 Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere0 00 N, 160 00 WWorld155.557 million sq km note- includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Savu Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodiesabout 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world135,663 kmplanetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to Decembersurface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world s deepestChallenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 msea level 0 moil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fishsurrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to Decemberendangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Seathe major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean EconomyThe Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world s fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings.Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Transportation - note- Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state)international- some maritime disputes (see littoral states)PakistanThe separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between these countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998.Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north30 00 N, 70 00 EAsia803,940 sq km778,720 sq km25,220 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Californiatotal- 6,774 kmAfghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km1,046 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMmostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in northflat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in westIndian Ocean 0 mK2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 mland, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone27%1%6%5%61% (1993 est.)171,100 sq km (1993 est.)frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsMarine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Bancontrols Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent144,616,639 (July 2001 est.) 40.47% (male 30,131,400; female 28,391,891) 55.42% (male 40,977,543; female 39,164,663) 4.11% (male 2,918,872; female 3,032,270) (2001 est.)2.11% (2001 est.)31.21 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)80.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 61.45 years 60.61 years 62.32 years (2001 est.)4.41 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.1% (1999 est.)74,000 (1999 est.)6,500 (1999 est.)Pakistani(s)PakistaniPunjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India at the time of partition and their descendants)Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% age 15 and over can read and write 42.7% 55.3% 29% (1998)Islamic Republic of PakistanPakistanWest Pakistanfederal republicIslamabad4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh note- the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas14 August 1947 (from UK)Republic Day, 23 March (1956)10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan s status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslimsnote- following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF suspended Pakistan s constitution and assumed the additional title of Chief Executive; exercising the powers of the head of the government, he appointed an eight-member National Security Council to function as Pakistan s supreme governing body; President Mohammad Rafiq TARAR remains the ceremonial chief of state; on 12 May 2000, Pakistan s Supreme Court unanimously validated the October 1999 coup and granted MUSHARRAF executive and legislative authority for three years from the coup datePresident Mohammad Rafiq TARAR (since 31 December 1997)Chief Executive Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 12 October 1999)Cabinet appointed by the chief executive president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 31 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the National Assembly; election last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA); note - Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF overthrew the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF in the military takeover of 12 October 1999; in May 2000, the Supreme Court validated the October 1999 coup and set a three-year limit in office for Chief Executive MUSHARRAF Rafiq TARAR elected president; percent of Parliament and provincial vote - NA%; results are for the last election for prime minister prior to the military takeover of 12 October 1999 - Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%note - Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF dissolved Parliament following the military takeover of 12 October 1999; bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (87 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies to serve six-year terms; one-third of the members up for election every two years) and the National Assembly (217 seats - 10 represent non-Muslims; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held 12 March 1997 (next to be held NA); National Assembly - last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA); note - no timetable has yet been given for elections following the military takeover Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/N 30, PPP 17, ANP 7, MQM/A 6, JWP 5, BNP 4, JUI/F 2, PML/J 2, BNM/M 1, PKMAP 1, TJP 1, independents 6, vacant 5; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/N 137, PPP 18, MQM/A 12, ANP 10, BNP 3, JWP 2, JUI/F 2, PPP/SB 1, NPP 1, independents 21, minorities 10; note - Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF dismissed Parliament 15 October 1999Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Shari a Courtnote- Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF dissolved Parliament following the military takeover of 12 October 1999, however, political parties have been allowed to operate; Awami National Party or ANP [Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Movement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr. HAYEE Baluch]; Baluch National Party or BNP [Sardar Akhtar MENGAL]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP [Akbar Khan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction or JUP/NI [Abdul Sattar Khan NIAZI]; Millat Party [Farooq LEGHARI]; Milli Yakjheti Council or MYC is an umbrella organization which includes Jamaat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED], Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ], Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan or TJP [Allama Sajid NAQVI], and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction or JUP/NO [Shah Ahmad NOORANI]; Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction or MQM/A [Altaf HUSSAIN]; National People s Party or NPP [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI]; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun Quami Party or PQP [Mohammed AFZAL Khan]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction or PML/J [Hamid Nasir CHATTHA]; Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan National Party or PNP [Hasil BIZENJO]; Pakistan People s Party or PPP [Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan People s Party/Shaheed Bhutto or PPP/SB [Ghinva BHUTTO]; Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN] note- political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequentlymilitary remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influentialAsDB, C (suspended), CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Maleeha LODHI 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-6200 [1] (202) 387-0484 Los Angeles and New York Ambassador William B. MILAM Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 [92] (51) 2080-0000 [92] (51) 2276427 Karachi consulate(s)- Lahore, Peshawargreen with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Pakistan EconomyPakistan is a poor, heavily populated country, suffering from internal political disputes, lack of foreign investment, and a costly confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan s economic outlook continues to be marred by its weak foreign exchange position, which relies on international creditors for hard currency inflows. The MUSHARRAF government will face an estimated $21 billion in foreign debt coming due in 2000-03, despite having rescheduled nearly $2 billion in debt with Paris Club members. Foreign loans and grants provide approximately 25% of government revenue, but debt service obligations total nearly 50% of government expenditure. Although Pakistan successfully negotiated a $600 million IMF Stand-By Arrangement, future loan installments will be jeopardized if Pakistan misses critical IMF benchmarks on revenue collection and the fiscal deficit. MUSHARRAF has complied largely with IMF recommendations to raise petroleum prices, widen the tax net, privatize public sector assets, and improve the balance of trade. However, Pakistan s economic prospects remain uncertain; too little has changed despite the new administration s intentions. Foreign exchange reserves hover at roughly $1 billion, GDP growth hinges on crop performance, the import bill has been hammered by high oil prices, and both foreign and domestic investors remain wary of committing to projects in Pakistan.purchasing power parity - $282 billion (2000 est.)4.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)25.4%24.9%49.7% (1999 est.)40% (2000 est.)4.1%27.7% (1996)5.2% (2000 est.)40 million note- extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2000 est.)agriculture 44%, industry 17%, services 39% (1999 est.)6% (FY99/00 est.)$8.9 billion$11.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est.)textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp3.8% (1999 est.)62.078 billion kWh (1999)63.38%36.51%0.11% 0% (1999)57.732 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs$8.6 billion (f.o.b., FY99/00)textiles (garments, cotton cloth, and yarn), rice, other agricultural productsUS 24%, Hong Kong 7%, UK 7%, Germany 6%, UAE 6% (FY99/00)$9.6 billion (f.o.b., FY99/00)machinery, petroleum, petroleum products, chemicals, transportation equipment, edible oils, grains, pulses, flourSaudi Arabia 8%, UAE 8%, US 6%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 4% (FY99/00)$38 billion (2000 est.)$2 billion (FY99/00)Pakistani rupee (PKR)PKRPakistani rupees per US dollar - 59.152 (January 2001), 52.814 (2000), 49.118 (1999), 44.943 (1998), 40.918 (1997), 35.909 (1996)1 July - 30 June Pakistan Communications2.861 million (March 1999)158,000 (1998) the domestic system is mediocre, but improving; service is adequate for government and business use, in part because major businesses have established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a priority basis, significantly increasing network capacity; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily available to the majority of the rural population microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (1999)AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998)13.5 million (1997)22 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)3.1 million (1997).pk30 (2000)1.2 million (2000)8,163 km broad gauge- 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km double track)445 km 1.000-m gauge (1996 est.) (2000)247,811 km141,252 km (including 339 km of expressways)106,559 km (1998)nonecrude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km (1987)Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 240,605 GRT/367,040 DWTcargo 13, container 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)117 (2000 est.) 82 12 21 32 14 3 (2000 est.) 35 7 11 17 (2000 est.)8 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard17 years of agemales age 15-49- 35,770,928 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 21,897,366 (2001 est.)males- 1,657,723 (2001 est.)$2.435 billion (FY99/00)3.9% (FY99/00)international- status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing problems with India over the Indus River (Wular Barrage)key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western markets; narcotics still move from Afghanistan into Balochistan ProvincePalauAfter three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independent status in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained their independence.Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines7 30 N, 134 30 EOceania458 sq km458 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km1,519 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone- 12 NM extended fishing zone- 200 NM3 NMwet season May to November; hot and humidvarying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefsPacific Ocean 0 mMount Ngerchelchauus 242 mforests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed mineralsNA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA sq kmtyphoons (June to December)inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Seanone of the selected agreementsincludes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain19,092 (July 2001 est.) 26.88% (male 2,641; female 2,491) 68.46% (male 7,128; female 5,943) 4.66% (male 420; female 469) (2001 est.)1.69% (2001 est.)19.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.23 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.2 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 1.14 male(s)/female (2001 est.)16.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.89 years 65.77 years 72.19 years (2001 est.)2.47 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAPalauan(s)PalauanPalauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah s Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsorolese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official) age 15 and over can read and write 92% 93% 90% (1980 est.)Republic of PalauPalauBeluu er a BelauBelauPalau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror18 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Palau Island, Peleliu, Sonsoral, Tobi1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)1 January 1981based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws18 years of age; universalPresident Tommy Esang REMENGESAU Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Tommy Esang REMENGESAU Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) Tommy Esang REMENGESAU Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45%bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (16 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; House of Delegates - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NASupreme Court; National Court; Court of Common PleasPalau Nationalist Party [Johnson TORIBIONG]; Ta Belau Party [Kuniwo NAKAMURA]NAACP, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Ambassador Hersey KYOTA 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 452-6814 [1] (202) 452-6281 the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau; Charge d Affaires Allen E. NUGENT address NA, Koror P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 [680] 488-2920, 2990 [680] 488-2911light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Palau EconomyThe economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The population enjoys a per capita income of twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries.purchasing power parity - $129 million (1998 est.) note- GDP numbers reflect US spending-1.4% (1998 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,100 (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%8,300 (1999)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%2.3% (2000 est.)$57.7 million$80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1 million (FY98/99 est.)tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment makingNA%coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes$14.3 million (f.o.b., 1996)trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicraftsUS, Japan$126 million (f.o.b., FY99/00)machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffsUS$0 (FY99/00)$155.8 million (1995); note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, will provide Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilitiesUS dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 October - 30 September Palau Communications1,500 (1988)0 (1988) NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 1 (1998)12,000 (1997)1 (1997)11,000 (1997).pwNA Railways- 0 km61 km36 km25 kmnoneKoror Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.)NA$NANA% Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 yearsinternational- nonePalmyra AtollThe Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now privately owned by the Nature Conservancy. This organization is managing the atoll as a nature preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nautical mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife service and designated a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001.Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa5 52 N, 162 06 WOceania11.9 sq km11.9 sq km0 sq kmabout 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km14.5 km200 NM12 NMequatorial, hot, and very rainyvery lowPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 2 mterrestrial and aquatic wildlife0%0%0%100%0%0 sq km (1993)NANAabout 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tallno indigenous inhabitants; 4 to 20 Nature Conservancy staff, US Fish and Wildlife staff (July 2001 est.)nonePalmyra Atollincorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interiorthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Palmyra Atoll Economyno economic activity Highways- much of the road and many causeways built during World War II are unserviceable and overgrown (2001)noneWest Lagoon1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- nonePanamaWith US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by or on 31 December 1999.Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica9 00 N, 80 00 WCentral America and the Caribbean78,200 sq km75,990 sq km2,210 sq kmslightly smaller than South Carolinatotal- 555 kmColombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km2,490 km24 NM200 NM12 NMtropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hillsPacific Ocean 0 mVolcan de Chiriqui 3,475 mcopper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower7%2%20%44%27% (1993 est.)320 sq km (1993 est.)NAwater pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama CanalBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsMarine Life Conservationstrategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean2,845,647 (July 2001 est.) 30.13% (male 436,661; female 420,625) 63.86% (male 920,787; female 896,520) 6.01% (male 81,682; female 89,372) (2001 est.)1.3% (2001 est.)19.06 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)20.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.68 years 72.94 years 78.53 years (2001 est.)2.27 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.54% (1999 est.)24,000 (1999 est.)1,200 (1999 est.)Panamanian(s)Panamanianmestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%Spanish (official), English 14% note- many Panamanians bilingual age 15 and over can read and write 90.8% 91.4% 90.2% (1995 est.)Republic of PanamaPanamaRepublica de PanamaPanamaconstitutional democracyPanama9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and one territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)Independence Day, 3 November (1903)11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37% note- government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change, MORENA, PLN, PSunicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA 3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2, PRC 1, MORENA 1 note- legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formulaSupreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appealArnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ruben AROSEMENA]; Civic Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic Change [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo]; National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo]Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRPCCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Alfredo BOYD 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-1407 Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa Ambassador Simon FERRO Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 [507] 207-7000 [507] 227-1964divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center Panama EconomyPanama s economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, high oil prices, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000. The government plans public works programs, tax reforms, and new regional trade agreements in order to stimulate growth in 2001.purchasing power parity - $16.6 billion (2000 est.)2.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2000 est.)7%16.5%76.5% (1999 est.)37% (1999 est.)1.2%35.7% (1997)1.8% (2000 est.)1.1 million (2000 est.) note- shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled laboragriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)13% (2000 est.)$2.8 billion$2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $471 million (2000 est.)construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling2% (2000 est.)4.413 billion kWh (1999)27.78%71.65%0% 0.57% (1999)4.049 billion kWh (1999)95 million kWh (1999)40 million kWh (1999)bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp$5.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothingUS 42%, Germany 11%, Costa Rica 5%, Benelux 4%, Italy 4% (1999)$6.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicalsUS 39%, Colon Free Zone 14%, Japan 8%, Ecuador 6%, Mexico 5% (1999)$7.56 billion (2000 est.)$197.1 million (1995)balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)PAB; USDbalboas per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate)calendar year Panama Communications396,000 (1997)17,000 (1997) domestic and international facilities well developed NA 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave SystemAM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)815,000 (1997)38 (including repeaters) (1998)510,000 (1997).pa6 (2000)45,000 (2000)355 km broad gauge- 76 km 1.524-m gauge279 km 0.914-m gauge11,592 km4,079 km (including 30 km of expressways)7,513 km (2000)882 km note- 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canalcrude oil 130 km (2001)Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte4,711 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 111,515,984 GRT/169,655,363 DWTbulk 1,381, cargo 925, chemical tanker 314, combination bulk 71, combination ore/oil 18, container 525, liquefied gas 193, livestock carrier 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 12, passenger 41, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 544, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 297, roll on/roll off 106, short-sea passenger 36, specialized tanker 29, vehicle carrier 208 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Argentina 11, Australia 1, Austria 1, Bermuda 21, Belgium 4, The Bahamas 7, Brazil 2, Canada 4, China 154, Chile 4, Cayman Islands 1, Colombia 6, Cuba 7, Cyprus 4, Denmark 12, Egypt 8, Ireland 2, Equatorial Guinea 1, Finland 1, France 4, Germany 17, Greece 248, Hong Kong 158, Honduras 2, Croatia 3, Indonesia 40, India 11, Iran 1, Israel 3, Italy 7, Japan 1,007, Jordan 2, South Korea 223, Latvia 4, Lithuania 1, Liberia 2, Monaco 43, Malta 1, Mexico 5, Malaysia 6, Netherlands 6, Norway 36, Netherlands Antilles 1, Peru 5, Pakistan 1, Portugal 5, Philippines 10, Russia 6, Saudi Arabia 6, Seychelles 2, South Africa 5, Singapore 73, Spain 35, Sweden 4, Syria 11, Switzerland 53, UAE 11, Thailand 15, Taiwan 170, UK 18, US 79, Venezuela 18, Samoa 1 (2000 est.)107 (2000 est.) 42 1 1 5 13 22 (2000 est.) 65 13 52 (2000 est.)an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service)males age 15-49- 775,966 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 530,916 (2001 est.)$128 million (FY99)1.3% (FY99) Military - note- on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama s military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama s Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"international- nonemajor cocaine transshipment point and major drug money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem; Panama was cited by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) an international organization that includes the US Government, for its lack of cooperation in the fight against international money launderingPapua New GuineaThe eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997, after claiming some 20,000 lives.Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia6 00 S, 147 00 EOceania462,840 sq km452,860 sq km9,980 sq kmslightly larger than Californiatotal- 820 kmIndonesia 820 km5,152 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMtropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variationmostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothillsPacific Ocean 0 mMount Wilhelm 4,509 mgold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries0.1%1%0%92.9%6% (1993 est.)NA sq kmactive volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Rim of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamisrain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe droughtAntarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolshares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world s largest swamps along southwest coast5,049,055 (July 2001 est.) 38.7% (male 993,248; female 960,647) 57.63% (male 1,507,064; female 1,402,666) 3.67% (male 87,779; female 97,651) (2001 est.)2.43% (2001 est.)32.15 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.88 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)58.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.46 years 61.39 years 65.64 years (2001 est.)4.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.22% (1999 est.)5,400 (1999 est.)450 (1999 est.)Papua New Guinean(s)Papua New GuineanMelanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, PolynesianRoman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region note- 715 indigenous languages age 15 and over can read and write 72.2% 81% 62.7% (1995 est.)Independent State of Papua New GuineaPapua New GuineaTerritory of Papua and New Guinea abbreviation- PNGconstitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracyPort Moresby20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)Independence Day, 16 September (1975)16 September 1975based on English common law18 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Silas ATOPARE (since 13 November 1997)Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA (since NA August 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Michael OGIO (since 3 November 2000)National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general for up to five years on the basis of majority support in National Parliamentunicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 14-28 June 1997 (next to be held NA June 2002) percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note - association with political parties is very fluidSupreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)National Alliance or NA [Michael SOMARE]; National Party or NP [Michael MEL]; Papua New Guinea United Party or Pangu Pati [Chris HAIVETA]; People s Action Party or PAP [Ted DIRO]; People s Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People s National Congress or PNC [Simon KAUMI]; People s Progress Party or PPP [Michael NALI]; People s Unity Party or PUP [Alfred KAIABE]; United Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO]NAACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Susan JACOBS 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 745-3680 [1] (202) 745-3679 Ambassador Arma Jane KARAER Douglas Street, Port Moresby P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby [675] 321-1455 [675] 321-3423divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered Papua New Guinea EconomyPapua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The 3.4% average annual growth rate of GDP during 1979-1998 conceals considerable year-to-year variation resulting from external economic shocks, natural disasters, and economic management problems. There has been little growth in the last half of the 1990s, with real GDP in 1999 barely 3% higher than in 1994, not enough to compensate for population growth. A new administration under the leadership of Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA in July 1999 has promised to restore integrity to state institutions, to stabilize the kina, to restore stability to the national budget, to privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and to ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerable success in attracting international support, specifically gaining the support of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance loans. Significant challenges remain for MORAUTA, however, including gaining further investor confidence, specifically for the proposed Papua New Guinea-Australia oil pipeline, continuing efforts to privatize government assets, and in maintaining the support from members of Parliament who after 15 July 2001 can dismiss him with a vote of no-confidence.purchasing power parity - $12.2 billion (2000 est.)2.9% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2000 est.)30%35%35% (1999 est.)37%1.7%40.5% (1996)17% (2000 est.)1.941 millionagriculture 85%, industry NA%, services NA%NA%$1.6 billion$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production; construction, tourismNA%1.82 billion kWh (1999)54.95%45.05%0% 0% (1999)1.693 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawnsAustralia 30%, Japan 12%, Germany 7%, South Korea 4%, Philippines 3%, UK 3% (1999)$1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicalsAustralia 53%, Singapore 13%, Japan 6%, US 4%, New Zealand 4%, Malaysia 4% (1999)$2.9 billion (2000 est.)$400 million (1999 est.)kina (PGK)PGKkina per US dollar - 2.81 (October 2000), 2.696 (2000), 2.539 (1999), 2.058 (1998), 1.434 (1997), 1.318 (1996)calendar year Papua New Guinea Communications47,000 (1996)3,053 (1996) services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services mostly radiotelephone submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication serviceAM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)410,000 (1997)3 (1997)42,000 (1997).pg3 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km19,600 km686 km18,914 km (1996)10,940 kmKieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 35,361 GRT/51,096 DWTbulk 1, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil 3, container 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)492 (2000 est.) 20 2 13 4 1 (2000 est.) 472 13 57 402 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground, Naval, and Air Forces, and Special Forces Unit)males age 15-49- 1,306,159 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 723,012 (2001 est.)$42 million (FY98)1% (FY98)international- noneParacel IslandsThis archipelago is surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potentially large oil reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Prattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops captured a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. However, the islands are still claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines16 30 N, 112 00 ESoutheast AsiaNA sq kmNA sq km0 sq kmNA0 km518 kmNAtropicalmostly low and flatSouth China Sea 0 munnamed location on Rocky Island 14 mnone0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1993)typhoonsNAno indigenous inhabitants note- there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2001 est.)noneParacel Islands Paracel Islands EconomyNAChina announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.nonesmall Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- occupied by Chinainternational- occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and VietnamParaguayIn the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then.Central South America, northeast of Argentina23 00 S, 58 00 WSouth America406,750 sq km397,300 sq km9,450 sq kmslightly smaller than Californiatotal- 3,920 kmArgentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far westgrassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewherejunction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 mCerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 mhydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone6%0%55%32%7% (1993 est.)670 sq km (1993 est.)local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of forest land were lost from 1958-85); water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residentsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsNuclear Test Banlandlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil5,734,139 (July 2001 est.) 38.9% (male 1,133,306; female 1,097,360) 56.39% (male 1,622,743; female 1,610,659) 4.71% (male 124,321; female 145,750) (2001 est.)2.6% (2001 est.)30.88 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.75 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)29.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.92 years 71.44 years 76.52 years (2001 est.)4.11 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.11% (1999 est.)3,000 (1999 est.)220 (1999 est.)Paraguayan(s)Paraguayanmestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other ProtestantSpanish (official), Guarani (official) age 15 and over can read and write 92.1% 93.5% 90.6% (1995 est.)Republic of ParaguayParaguayRepublica del ParaguayParaguayconstitutional republicAsuncion17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and one capital city; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion (city), Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro14 May 1811 (from Spain)Independence Day, 14 May (1811)promulgated 20 June 1992based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75none (landlocked)President Luis GONZALEZ MACCHI (since 28 March 1999); vice president Julio Cesar FRANCO (since NA August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Luis GONZALEZ MACCHI (since 28 March 1999); vice president Julio Cesar FRANCO (since NA August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers nominated by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 10 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2003) Raul CUBAS Grau elected president; percent of vote - 55.3%; resigned 28 March 1999 note- President Luis GONZALEZ MACCHI, formerly president of the Chamber of Senators, constitutionally succeeded President Raul CUBAS Grau, who resigned after being impeached soon after the assassination of Vice President Luis Maria ARGANA; the successor to ARGANA was decided in an election held in August 2000bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Chamber of Senators - last held 10 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2003); Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2003) Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 25, PLRA 13, PEN 7; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 45, PLRA 26, PEN 9Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura)Authentic Radical Liberal Party or PLRA [Miguel Abdon SAGUIER]; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Adalina GUITERREZ DE GALEANO]; Febrerista Revolutionary Party or PRF [Carlos Maria LJUBETIC]; National Encounter or PEN [Euclides ACEVEDO]; National Republican Association - Colorado Party [acting president Bader RACHID LICHI]Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUTCCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Leila RACHID 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 [1] (202) 234-4508 Detroit (honorary), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (honorary) Ambassador David N. GREENLEE 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 [595] (21) 213-715 [595] (21) 213-728three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles) Paraguay EconomyParaguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3% annually in 1995-97, but GDP declined slightly in 1998 and 1999. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay s poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. Growth rebounded slightly in 2000.purchasing power parity - $26.2 billion (2000 est.)1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,750 (2000 est.)28%21%51% (1999 est.)36% (2000 est.)0.7%46.6% (1995)8% (2000 est.)2 million (2000 est.)agriculture 45%16% (2000 est.)$1.3 billion$2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (1999 est.)sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products0% (2000 est.)51.554 billion kWh (1999)0.07%99.79%0% 0.15% (1999)1.915 billion kWh (1999)46.03 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (yucca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber$3.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)electricity, soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oilsBrazil, Argentina, EU$3.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machineryBrazil, US, Argentina, Uruguay, EU, Hong Kong$3 billion (2000 est.)$NAguarani (PYG)PYGguarani per US dollar - 3,570.0 (January 2001), 3,486.4 (2000), 3,119.1 (1999), 2,726.5 (1998), 2,177.9 (1997), 2,056.8 (1996); note - since early 1998, the exchange rate has operated as a managed float; prior to that, the exchange rate was determined freely in the marketcalendar year Paraguay Communications290,475 (2001)510,000 (2001) meager telephone service; principal switching center is Asuncion fair microwave radio relay network satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)925,000 (1997)4 (2001)990,000 (2001).py4 (2000)20,000 (2000)971 km441 km 1.435-m gauge60 km 1.000-m gauge note- there are 470 km of various gauges that are privately owned25,901 km3,067 km22,834 km (2001)3,100 kmAsuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 31,066 GRT/35,441 DWTcargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)915 (2000 est.) 11 3 4 4 (2000 est.) 904 29 340 535 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force17 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,388,436 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,001,516 (2001 est.)males- 58,359 (2001 est.)$125 million (FY98)1.4% (FY98)illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Southern Cone markets and EuropePeruAfter a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980. In recent years, bold reform programs and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity and drug trafficking have resulted in solid economic growth.Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador10 00 S, 76 00 WSouth America1,285,220 sq km1.28 million sq km5,220 sq kmslightly smaller than Alaskatotal- 5,536 kmBolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km2,414 km200 NM200 NMvaries from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andeswestern coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)Pacific Ocean 0 mNevado Huascaran 6,768 mcopper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower3%0%21%66%10% (1993 est.)12,800 sq km (1993 est.)earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activitydeforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastesAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolshares control of Lago Titicaca, world s highest navigable lake, with Bolivia27,483,864 (July 2001 est.) 34.41% (male 4,803,464; female 4,654,890) 60.8% (male 8,408,210; female 8,302,943) 4.79% (male 603,309; female 711,048) (2001 est.)1.7% (2001 est.)23.9 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.78 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)39.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 70.3 years 67.9 years 72.81 years (2001 est.)2.96 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.35% (1999 est.)48,000 (1999 est.)4,100 (1999 est.)Peruvian(s)PeruvianAmerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%Roman Catholic 90%Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara age 15 and over can read and write 88.7% 94.5% 83% (1995 est.)Republic of PeruPeruRepublica del PeruPeruconstitutional republicLima24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali note- the 1979 constitution mandated the creation of regions (regiones, singular - region) to function eventually as autonomous economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been constituted from 23 of the 24 departments - Amazonas (from Loreto), Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region has been delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao to merge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate funding from the central government and organizational and political difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major responsibilities; the 1993 constitution retains the regions but limits their authority; the 1993 constitution also reaffirms the roles of departmental and municipal governments28 July 1821 (from Spain)Independence Day, 28 July (1821)31 December 1993based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Alejandro TOLEDO (since 28 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the Constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Conseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)President Alejandro TOLEDO (since 28 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the Constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Conseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001) note- Prime Minister Roberto DANINO (since 28 July 2001) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the presidentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special presidential election held 8 April 2001 with runoff election 3 June 2001); next to be held NA 2006 President TOLEDO elected in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%unicameral Democratic Constituent Congress or Congresso Constituyente Democratico (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held 8 April 2001) note- many congressmen defected to and then from former President FUJIMORI s coalition in 2000 percent of vote by party - Peru 2000 42.16%, Peru Possible 23.34%, FIM 7.56%, Somos Peru 7.2%, APRA 5.5%, others 14.24%; seats by party - Peru 2000 52, Peru Possible 29, FIM 9, others 30Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)American Popular Revolutionary Alliance or APRA [Alan GARCIA]; Andean Rebirth [Ciro GALVEZ Herreria]; Avancemos [leader NA]; Democratic Cause [Jorge SANTISTEVAN]; Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Solidarity or SN [Luis CASTANEDA Lossio]; National Unity [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru 2000 [leader NA]; Peru Posible or PP [Alejandro TOLEDO Maniquez]; Popular Action or AP [leader NA]; Popular Agrarian Front of Peru or Frepap [leader NA]; Popular Solution [Carlos BOLONA Behr]; Project Country [Mario Antonio ARRUNATEGUI]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [leader NA]; Vamos Vecinos or VV [Absalon VASQUEZ]leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned), Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]ABEDA, APEC, CAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Alfonso RIVERO Monsalve 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 [1] (202) 659-8124 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco Ambassador John HAMILTON Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33 P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000 [51] (1) 434-3000 [51] (1) 434-3037three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath Peru EconomyThe Peruvian economy has become increasingly market-oriented, with major privatizations completed since 1990 in the mining, electricity, and telecommunications industries. Thanks to strong foreign investment and the cooperation between the FUJIMORI government and the IMF and World Bank, growth was strong in 1994-97 and inflation was brought under control. In 1998, El Nino s impact on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets undercut growth. And 1999 was another lean year for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial crisis working its way through the economy. Political instability resulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI s subsequent departure from office limited economic growth in 2000.purchasing power parity - $123 billion (2000 est.)3.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,550 (2000 est.)15%42%43% (1999)49% (1994 est.)1.9%34.3% (1994)3.7% (2000 est.)7.6 million (1996 est.)agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services7.7%; extensive underemployment (1997)$8.5 billion$9.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $2 billion (1996 est.)mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication8.5% (2000 est.)18.886 billion kWh (1999)23.04%76.43%0% 0.53% (1999)17.565 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)1 million kWh (1999)coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish$7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)fish and fish products, copper, zinc, gold, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cottonUS 29%, EU 25%, Andean Community 6%, Japan 4%, Mercosur 3% (1999)$7.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticalsUS 32%, EU 21%, Andean Community 6%, Mercosur 8%, Japan 5% (1999)$31 billion (2000 est.)$895.1 million (1995)nuevo sol (PEN)PENnuevo sol per US dollar - 3.5230 (January 2001), 3.4900 (2000), 3.383 (1999), 2.930 (1998), 2.664 (1997), 2.453 (1996)calendar year Peru Communications1.509 million (1998)504,995 (1998) adequate for most requirements nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cableAM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)6.65 million (1997)13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)3.06 million (1997).pe10 (2000)400,000 (2000)1,988 km1,608 km 1.435-m gauge380 km 0.914-m gauge72,900 km8,700 km64,200 km (1999 est.)8,808 km note- 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicacacrude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 kmCallao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado, Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas note- Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,623 GRT/61,769 DWTcargo 5, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)233 (2000 est.) 46 6 18 13 8 1 (2000 est.) 187 1 1 25 65 95 (2000 est.)Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru), National Police (Policia Nacional)20 years of agemales age 15-49- 7,205,675 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 4,847,250 (2001 est.)males- 276,458 (2001 est.)$1 billion (FY00)1.9% (FY00)international- noneuntil 1996 the world s largest coca leaf producer, Peru reduced the area of coca under cultivation by 64% to 34,200 hectares between 1996 and the end of 2000; much of the cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine for the international drug market; increasing amounts of finished cocaine, however, are being shipped to Europe or to Brazil and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipped to world marketsPhilippinesThe Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained their independence in 1946 after being occupied by the Japanese in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986 when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed down its last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since Marcos removal by "people power." In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional successor. The government continues to struggle with ongoing Muslim insurgencies in the south.Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam13 00 N, 122 00 ESoutheast Asia300,000 sq km298,170 sq km1,830 sq kmslightly larger than Arizona0 km36,289 kmto depth of exploitation200 NMirregular polygon extending up to 100 NM from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM in breadthtropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlandsPhilippine Sea 0 mMount Apo 2,954 mtimber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper19%12%4%46%19% (1993 est.)15,800 sq km (1993 est.)astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamisuncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish breeding groundsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol82,841,518 (July 2001 est.) 36.87% (male 15,547,712; female 14,997,544) 59.45% (male 24,374,849; female 24,873,595) 3.68% (male 1,355,046; female 1,692,772) (2001 est.)2.03% (2001 est.)27.37 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)28.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 67.8 years 64.96 years 70.79 years (2001 est.)3.42 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.07% (1999 est.)28,000 (1999 est.)1,200 (1999 est.)Filipino(s)PhilippineChristian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English, eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense age 15 and over can read and write 94.6% 95% 94.3% (1995 est.)Republic of the PhilippinesPhilippinesRepublika ng PilipinasPilipinasrepublicManila73 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur4 July 1946 (from US)Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of independence from the US2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 16 May 2004) results of the last presidential election - Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote - approximately 40%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote - NA%; note - on 20 January 2001, Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was sworn in as the constitutional successor to President Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared that President ESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the mass resignations from his government; according to the Constitution, only in cases of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the president, can the vice president serve for the unexpired termbicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (204 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additional members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) Senate - last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 14 May 2001); House of Representatives - elections last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 14 May 2001) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LAMP 12, Lakas 5, PRP 2, LP 1, other 3; note - the Senate now has only 22 members with one seat vacated when Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO became vice president and another seat vacated upon a senator s death; the two seats can only be filled by election and will remain open until the next regular election in May 2001; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LAMP 135, Lakas 37, LP 13, Aksyon Demokratiko 1, other 35Supreme Court (justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council)People Power Coalition or PPC includes- Aksyon Demokratiko or Democratic Action [Raul ROCO], Lakas-NUCD [Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, titular head, Teofisto GUINGONA, party president], Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD], Probinsiya Muna Development Initiative or Promdi [Lito OSMENA], and Reporma Party [Renato DE VILLA]; Puwersa ng Masa (Force of the Masses) includes- Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Eduardo ANGARA], Laban Ng Masang Pilipino or LAMP (Struggle of the Filipino Masses) [Joseph ESTRADA], and People s Reform Party or PRP [Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO]; Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (New Society Movement) [Imelda MARCOS]; Nacionalista Party [Jose OLIVEROS]; National People s Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO]NAAPEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant); Acting Ambassador Ariel ABADILLA 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 467-9300 [1] (202) 467-9317 Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco consulate(s)- San Diego Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affairs Michael E. MALINOWSKI 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000 Manila FPO 96515 [63] (2) 523-1001 [63] (2) 522-4361two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star Philippines EconomyIn 1998 the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, light industry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result of spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to about -0.5% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but recovered to about 3% in 1999 and 3.6% in 2000. The government has promised to continue its economic reforms to help the Philippines match the pace of development in the newly industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure, overhauling the tax system to bolster government revenues, moving toward further deregulation and privatization of the economy, and increasing trade integration with the region.purchasing power parity - $310 billion (2000 est.)3.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2000 est.)20%32%48% (1997 est.)41% (1997 est.)1.5%39.3% (1998)5% (2000 est.)48.1 million (2000 est.)agriculture 39.8%, government and social services 19.4%, services 17.7%, manufacturing 9.8%, construction 5.8%, other 7.5% (1998 est.)10% (2000)$14.5 billion$12.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing4% (2000 est.)40.745 billion kWh (1999)61.03%18.68%0% 20.29% (1999)37.893 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish$38 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments, coconut productsUS 34%, Japan 14%, Netherlands 8%, Singapore 6%, UK 6%, Hong Kong 4% (1998)$35 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, consumer goods, fuelsUS 22%, Japan 20%, South Korea 8%, Singapore 6%, Taiwan 5%, Hong Kong 4% (1998 est.)$52 billion (1999)ODA, $1.1 billion (1998)Philippine peso (PHP)PHPPhilippine pesos per US dollar - 50.969 (January 2001), 44.192 (2000), 39.089 (1999), 40.893 (1998), 29.471 (1997), 26.216 (1996)calendar year Philippines Communications1.9 million (1997)1.959 million (1998) good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and JapanAM 366, FM 290, shortwave 3 (1999)11.5 million (1997)31 (1997)3.7 million (1997).ph33 (2000)500,000 (2000)492 km (an additional 405 km are not in operation)492 km 1.067-m gauge (1996)199,950 km39,590 km160,360 km (1998 est.)3,219 km note- limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 mpetroleum products 357 kmBatangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila, Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga459 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,653,062 GRT/8,512,326 DWTbulk 149, cargo 123, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 10, container 5, liquefied gas 13, livestock carrier 10, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated cargo 21, roll on/roll off 17, short-sea passenger 31, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 16 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Cyprus 1, Denmark 1, Hong Kong 5, Japan 14, Netherlands 1, Singapore 1, UK 1 (2000 est.)288 (2000 est.) 76 4 5 28 28 11 (2000 est.) 212 1 1 81 129 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force20 years of agemales age 15-49- 21,220,191 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 14,942,363 (2001 est.)males- 848,181 (2001 est.)$995 million (FY98)1.5% (FY98)international- involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claim to Malaysia s Sabah State has not been fully revokedexports locally produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin and crystal methamphetaminePitcairn IslandsPitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in 1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to about 50 today.Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand25 04 S, 130 06 WOceania47 sq km47 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC0 km51 km200 NM3 NMtropical, hot, humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffsPacific Ocean 0 mPawala Valley Ridge 347 mmiro trees (used for handicrafts), fish note- manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshoreNA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA sq kmtyphoons (especially November to March)deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)47 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%-2.08% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANAPitcairn Islander(s)Pitcairn Islanderdescendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wivesSeventh-Day Adventist 100%English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect)Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno IslandsPitcairn Islandsoverseas territory of the UKNAAdamstownnone (overseas territory of the UK)none (overseas territory of the UK)Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964local island by-laws18 years of age; universal with three years residencyQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Martin WILLIAMS (since NA May 1998); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA; is the liaison person between the governor and the Island Council)Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)NA the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island magistrate elected every three years in December by popular vote for a three-year term; last election held NA December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2002) Lea BROWN elected island magistrate; percent of vote - NA%unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 6 elected by popular vote, 1 appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor, and 1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms) take place each December; last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001) percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independentsIsland Court (island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years)nonenoneSPCblue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor Pitcairn Islands EconomyThe inhabitants of this tiny economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.purchasing power parity - $NANA%purchasing power parity - $NANA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%12 able-bodied men (1997)no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishingNA%$729,884$878,119, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)postage stamps, handicraftsNA%NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered generatorNA kWhwide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens$NAfruits, vegetables, curios, stampsNA$NAfuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffsNA$NA$NANew Zealand dollar (NZD)NZDNew Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)1 April - 31 March Pitcairn Islands Communications1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line) (1997) only party line telephone service is available for this small, closely related community party line service only radiotelephoneAM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)NA0 (1997)NA.pnNANA Railways- 0 km6.4 km0 km6.4 kmnoneBounty Bay Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)none Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- nonePolandPoland gained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite country following the war, but one that was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, boosting hopes for acceptance to the EU. Poland joined the NATO alliance in 1999.Central Europe, east of Germany52 00 N, 20 00 EEurope312,685 sq km304,465 sq km8,220 sq kmslightly smaller than New Mexicototal- 2,888 kmBelarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia 444 km, Ukraine 428 km491 kmdefined by international treaties12 NMtemperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowersmostly flat plain; mountains along southern borderRaczki Elblaskie -2 mRysy 2,499 mcoal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, arable land47%1%13%29%10% (1993 est.)1,000 sq km (1993 est.)NAsituation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by postcommunist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastesAir Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolhistorically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain38,633,912 (July 2001 est.) 18.39% (male 3,640,451; female 3,463,604) 69.17% (male 13,288,471; female 13,434,753) 12.44% (male 1,836,816; female 2,969,817) (2001 est.)-0.03% (2001 est.)10.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.98 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.62 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)9.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.42 years 69.26 years 77.82 years (2001 est.)1.37 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.07% (1999 est.)NAless than 100 (1999 est.)Pole(s)PolishPolish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.)Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5%Polish age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 98% (1978 est.)Republic of PolandPolandRzeczpospolita PolskaPolskarepublicWarsaw16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie, Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 23 May 1997mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts although under the new constitution, the Constitutional Tribunal ruling will become final as of October 1999; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg18 years of age; universalPresident Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December 1995)Prime Minister Jerzy BUZEK - Solidarity Electoral Union - (since 31 October 1997), Deputy Prime Ministers Janusz STEINHOFF (since 12 June 2000), Longin KOMOLOWSKI (since 19 October 1999)Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president; percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzj OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%bicameral National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe consists of the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) and the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms) Sejm elections last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001); Senate - last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001) Sejm - percent of vote by party - AWS 33.8%, SLD 27.1%, UW 13.4%, PSL 7.3%, ROP 5.6%, MNSO 0.4%, other 12.4%; seats by party - AWS 201, SLD 164, UW 60, PSL 27, ROP 6, MNSO 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AWS 51, SLD 28, UW 8, ROP 5, PSL 3, independents 5; note - seats by party in the Sejm as of February 2001- AWS 175, SLD 161, UW 49, PSL 26, PP 6, KdP 7, ROP-PC 4, independents 31, one seat vacant note- two seats are assigned to ethnic minority partiesSupreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms)Coalition for Poland or KdP [first name unknown GRABOWSKI]; Confederation for an Independent Poland-Patriotic Camp or KPN-OP (KPN-Fatherland or KPN-O is a small group within the KPN-OP) [Michal JANISZEWSKI]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD (Social Democracy of Poland) [Leszek MILLER]; Freedom Union or UW [Bronislaw GEREMEK]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL]; Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland or ROP-PC [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Jaroslaw KALINOWSKI]; Polish Socialist Party or PPS [Piotr IKONOWICZ]; Solidarity Electoral Action or AWS (includes RS-AWS and Solidarity) [Marian KRZAKLEWSKI]; Social Movement-Solidarity Electoral Action or RS-AWS [Jerzy BUZEK]All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union); Roman Catholic Church; Solidarity (trade union)ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 [1] (202) 328-6271 Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador Christopher R. HILL Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-054, Warsaw P1 American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) [48] (22) 628-30-41 [48] (22) 628-82-98 Krakowtwo equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white Poland EconomyPoland has steadfastly pursued a policy of liberalizing the economy and today stands out as one of the most successful and open transition economies. GDP growth has been strong and steady since 1992 - the best performance in the region. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has allowed for the rapid development of a vibrant private sector. In contrast, Poland s large agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy) has begun. Structural reforms in health care, education, the pension system, and state administration have resulted in larger than expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in public finance depends mainly on privatization of Poland s remaining state sector. The government s determination to enter the EU as soon as possible affects most aspects of its economic policies. Improving Poland s outsized current account deficit and reining in inflation are priorities. Warsaw leads the region in foreign investment and needs a continued large inflow.purchasing power parity - $327.5 billion (2000 est.)4.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $8,500 (2000 est.)3.8%36.6%59.6% (1999)18.4% (2000 est.)3%26.3% (1996)10.2% (2000 est.)17.2 million (1999 est.)industry 22.1%, agriculture 27.5%, services 50.4% (1999)12% (1999)$49.6 billion$52.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles4.3% (1999)134.351 billion kWh (1999)96.43%3.16%0% 0.41% (1999)120.007 billion kWh (1999)8.43 billion kWh (1999)3.491 billion kWh (1999)potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork$28.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and transport equipment 30.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 25.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 20.9%, food and live animals 8.5% (1999)Germany 36.1%, Italy 6.5%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 4.8%, UK 4.0%, Czech Republic 3.8% (1999)$42.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and transport equipment 38.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 20.8%, chemicals 14.3%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999)Germany 25.2%, Italy 9.4%, France 6.8%, Russia 5.8%, UK 4.6%, Netherlands 3.7% (1999)$57 billion (2000)$NAzloty (PLN)PLNzlotych per US dollar - 4.3126 (December 2000), 4.3461 (2000), 3.9671 (1999), 3.4754 (1998), 3.2793 (1997), 2.6961 (1996)calendar year Poland Communications8.07 million (1998)1.78 million (1998) underdeveloped and outmoded system; government aimed to have 10 million telephones in service by 2000; the process of partial privatization of the state-owned telephone monopoly has begun; in 1998 there were over 2 million applicants on the waiting list for telephone service cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)20.2 million (1997)179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995)13.05 million (1997).pl19 (2000)2.8 million (2000)23,420 km broad gauge- 646 km 1.524-m gauge21,639 km 1.435-m gauge (11,626 km electrified; 8,978 km double track)1,135 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m, 0.750-m, and 0.600-m (1998)381,046 km249,966 km (including 268 km of expressways)131,080 km (1998)3,812 km (navigable rivers and canals) (1996)crude oil and petroleum products 2,280 km; natural gas 17,000 km (1996)Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Ustka, Warsaw, Wroclaw46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 943,540 GRT/1,532,694 DWTbulk 41, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)122 (2000 est.) 83 3 29 42 6 3 (2000 est.) 39 1 4 13 21 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force19 years of agemales age 15-49- 10,447,931 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 8,139,245 (2001 est.)males- 344,781 (2001 est.)$3.17 billion (FY00)1.95% (FY00)international- nonemajor illicit producer of amphetamine for the international market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western EuropePortugalFollowing its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal entered the EC in 1985.Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain39 30 N, 8 00 WEurope92,391 sq km91,951 sq km440 sq km note- includes Azores and Madeira Islandsslightly smaller than Indianatotal- 1,214 kmSpain 1,214 km1,793 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMmaritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in southmountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in southAtlantic Ocean 0 mPonta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 mfish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble, arable land, hydro power26%9%9%36%20% (1993 est.)6,300 sq km (1993 est.)Azores subject to severe earthquakessoil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areasAir Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test BanAzores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar10,066,253 (July 2001 est.) 16.96% (male 877,379; female 830,242) 67.42% (male 3,321,473; female 3,465,481) 15.62% (male 637,207; female 934,471) (2001 est.)0.18% (2001 est.)11.51 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.94 years 72.44 years 79.68 years (2001 est.)1.48 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.74% (1999 est.)36,000 (1999 est.)280 (1999 est.)Portuguese (singular and plural)Portuguesehomogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)Portuguese age 15 and over can read and write 87.4% NA% NA%Portuguese RepublicPortugalRepublica PortuguesaPortugalparliamentary democracyLisbon18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910)Portugal Day, 10 June (1580)25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5 November 1992, and 3 September 1997civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996)Prime Minister Antonio Manuel de Oliviera GUTERRES (since 28 October 1995)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister note- there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2006); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president Jorge SAMPAIO re-elected president; percent of vote - Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral (Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1%unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 10 October 1999 (next to be held by NA October 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PS 115, PSD 81, PCP 15, PP 15, PEV 2, The Left Bloc 2Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)The Greens or PEV [leader NA]; Popular Party or PP [Paulo PORTAS]; Portuguese Communist Party/United Democratic Coalition or PCP/CDU [Carlos CARVALHAS]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Antonio GUTERRES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [leader vacant]; The Left Bloc [no leader]NAAfDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Joao Alberto Bacelar ROCHA PARIS 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 328-8610 [1] (202) 462-3726 Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San Francisco consulate(s)- Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island) Ambassador Gerald S. MCGOWAN Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon PSC 83, APO AE 09726 [351] (21) 727-3300 [351] (21) 726-9109 consulate(s)- Ponta Delgada (Azores)two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line Portugal EconomyPortugal is an upcoming capitalist economy with a per capita GDP two-thirds that of the four big West European economies. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and joined with 10 other European countries in launching the euro on 1 January 1999. The year 2000 was marked by moderation in growth, inflation, and unemployment. The country continues to run a sizable trade deficit. The government is working to reform the tax system, to modernize capital plant, and to increase the country s competitiveness in the increasingly integrated world markets. Growth is expected to fall off slightly in 2001. Improvement in the education sector is critical to the long-run catch-up process.purchasing power parity - $159 billion (2000 est.)2.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $15,800 (2000 est.)4%36%60% (1999 est.)NA%3.1%28.4% (1995 est.)2.8% (2000 est.)5 million (1999)services 60%, industry 30%, agriculture 10% (1999 est.)4.3% (2000 est.)$48.6 billion$50.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.7 billion (2000 est.)textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism2.9% (1999 est.)41.696 billion kWh (1999)79.97%17.25%0% 2.78% (1999)37.915 billion kWh (1999)4.49 billion kWh (1999)3.628 billion kWh (1999)grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, beef, dairy products$26.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products, hidesEU 83% (Germany 20%, Spain 18%, France 14%, UK 12%, Netherlands 5%, Benelux 5%, Italy), US 5% (1999)$41 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, agricultural productsEU 78% (Spain 25%, Germany 15%, France 11%, Italy 8%, UK 7%, Netherlands 5%), US 3%, Japan 3% (1998)$13.1 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $271 million (1995)Portuguese escudo (PTE); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Portugal at a fixed rate of 200.482 Portuguese escudos per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002PTE; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Portuguese escudos per US dollar - 180.10 (1998), 175.31 (1997), 154.24 (1996)calendar year Portugal Communications5.3 million (end 1998)3,074,194 (1999) undergoing rapid development in recent years, Portugal s telephone system, by the end of 1998, achieved a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities and a main line telephone density of 53% integrated network of coaxial cables, open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region) is plannedAM 47, FM 172 (many are repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)3.02 million (1997)62 (plus 166 repeaters) note- includes Azores and Madeira Islands (1995)3.31 million (1997).pt16 (2000)700,000 (2000)2,850 km broad gauge- 2,576 km 1.668-m gauge (623 km electrified; 426 km double track)274 km 1.000-m gauge (1998)68,732 km59,110 km (including 797 km of expressways)9,622 km (1999)820 km note- relatively unimportant to national economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton or less cargo capacitycrude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km; natural gas 700 km note- the secondary lines for the natural gas pipeline that will be 300 km long have not yet been builtAveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo158 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,053,586 GRT/1,611,238 DWTbulk 14, cargo 84, chemical tanker 16, container 10, liquefied gas 7, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 4, vehicle carrier 4 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Spain 1 (2000 est.)66 (2000 est.) 40 5 9 4 17 5 (2000 est.) 26 1 25 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Republican Guard20 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,530,466 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,030,759 (2001 est.)males- 71,404 (2001 est.)$2.458 billion (FY97)2.6% (FY97)important gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroinPuerto RicoDiscovered by Columbus in 1493, the island was ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. A popularly elected governor has served since 1948. In plebiscites held in 1967 and 1993, voters chose to retain commonwealth status.Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic18 15 N, 66 30 WCentral America and the Caribbean9,104 sq km8,959 sq km145 sq kmslightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island0 km501 km200 NM12 NMtropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variationmostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areasCaribbean Sea 0 mCerro de Punta 1,338 msome copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil4%5%26%16%49% (1993 est.)390 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughts; hurricaneserosion; occasional drought causing water shortagesimportant location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north3,937,316 (July 2001 est.) 23.73% (male 478,441; female 455,800) 65.72% (male 1,242,245; female 1,345,421) 10.55% (male 177,083; female 238,326) (2001 est.)0.54% (2001 est.)15.26 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)9.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.76 years 71.28 years 80.48 years (2001 est.)1.9 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAPuerto Rican(s) (US citizens)Puerto Ricanwhite (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%Spanish, English age 15 and over can read and write 89% 90% 88% (1980 est.)Commonwealth of Puerto RicoPuerto Ricocommonwealth associated with the UScommonwealthSan Juannone (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauconone (commonwealth associated with the US)US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952based on Spanish civil code18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential electionsPresident George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since NA January 2001)appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) Sila M. CALDERON (PDP) elected governor; percent of vote - 48.8%bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (54 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 19, PPD 7, PIP 1, other 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 30, PPD 20, PIP 1, other 3 note- Puerto Rico elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; elections last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 1 (Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA)Supreme Court; Superior Courts; Municipal Courts (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Hector Luis ACEVEDO]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican RevolutionCaricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate)five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the US flag, but based on the Cuban flag Puerto Rico EconomyPuerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Prospects for 2001 are clouded by a probable slowing down in both the construction and tourist sectors and by increasing inflation, particularly in energy and food prices; estimated growth will be 2%.purchasing power parity - $39 billion (2000 est.)2.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2000 est.)1%45%54% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%5.7% (2000 est.)1.3 million (2000)agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)9.5% (2000)$6.7 billion$9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00)pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourismNA%16.76 billion kWh (1999)98.45%1.55%0% 0% (1999)15.587 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens$38.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipmentUS 88% (2000)$27 billion (c.i.f., 2000)chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum productsUS 60% (2000)$NA$NAUS dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 July - 30 June Puerto Rico Communications1.322 million (1997)169,265 (1996) modern system, integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability digital telephone system; cellular telephone service satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable to USAM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)2.7 million (1997)18 (plus three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997)1.021 million (1997).pr76 (2000)110,000 (2000)96 km96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system for hauling sugarcane; no passenger service14,400 km14,400 km0 km (1996)noneGuanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan28 (2000 est.) 19 3 3 7 6 (2000 est.) 9 2 7 (2000 est.)paramilitary National Guard, Police Force Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- noneQatarRuled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir who had ruled the country since 1972. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe.Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia25 30 N, 51 15 EMiddle East11,437 sq km11,437 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Connecticuttotal- 60 kmSaudi Arabia 60 km563 km24 NMas determined by bilateral agreements or the median line12 NMdesert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summermostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravelPersian Gulf 0 mQurayn Abu al Bawl 103 mpetroleum, natural gas, fish1%0%5%0%94% (1993 est.)80 sq km (1993 est.)haze, dust storms, sandstorms commonlimited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilitiesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer ProtectionLaw of the Seastrategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits769,152 (July 2001 est.) 25.77% (male 101,155; female 97,086) 71.75% (male 391,178; female 160,665) 2.48% (male 13,625; female 5,443) (2001 est.)3.18% (2001 est.)15.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.26 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)20.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 2.43 male(s)/female 2.5 male(s)/female 1.92 male(s)/female (2001 est.)21.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 72.62 years 70.16 years 75.21 years (2001 est.)3.17 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.09% (1999 est.)NANAQatari(s)QatariArab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%Muslim 95%Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language age 15 and over can read and write 79% 79% 80% (1995 est.)State of QatarQatarDawlat QatarQatar note- closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitartraditional monarchyDoha9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Salal3 September 1971 (from UK)Independence Day, 3 September (1971)provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitutiondiscretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matterssuffrage is limited to municipal electionsAmir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince JASSIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected crown prince by the monarch 22 October 1996); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armed forcesPrime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary note- in March 1999 Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council, which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal servicesunicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed) note- the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have their terms extended every four years sinceCourt of AppealnonenoneABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 274-1600 [1] (202) 237-0061 Houston Ambassador Elizabeth Davenport MCKUNE 22 February Road, Doha P. O. Box 2399, Doha [974] 488 4101 [974] 488 4298 note- workweek is Saturday-Wednesdaymaroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side Qatar EconomyOil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 66% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar s proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore petroleum and the diversification of the economy. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $6 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports.purchasing power parity - $15.1 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $20,300 (2000 est.)1%49%50% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (2000)233,000 (1993 est.)NA%$3.9 billion$4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cementNA%9 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)8.37 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish$9.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steelJapan 52%, Singapore 9%, South Korea 8%, US, UAE (1998)$3.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicalsUK 10%, Japan 8%, Germany 6%, US 6%, Italy 6% (1998)$13.1 billion (2000 est.)$NAQatari rial (QAR)QARQatari rials per US dollar - 3.6400 (fixed rate)1 April - 31 March Qatar Communications142,000 (1997)43,476 (1997) modern system centered in Doha NA tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 ArabsatAM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)256,000 (1997)2 (plus three repeaters) (1997)230,000 (1997).qa1 (2000)45,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,230 km1,107 km123 km (1996)nonecrude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 kmDoha, Halul Island, Umm Sa id (Musay id)25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 677,992 GRT/1,049,447 DWTcargo 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 7, petroleum tanker 6 (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security18 years of agemales age 15-49- 312,116 note- includes non-nationals (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 163,642 (2001 est.)males- 6,797 (2001 est.)$723 million (FY00/01)10% (FY00/01)international- in March of 2001, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Hawar Islands to Bahrain and adjusted its maritime boundary with Qatar; a final border resolution was agreed to with Saudi Arabia in March of 2001ReunionThe Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration supplemented by influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar Indians gave the island its ethnic mix. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route.Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar21 06 S, 55 36 EWorld2,512 sq km2,502 sq km10 sq kmslightly smaller than Rhode Island0 km207 km200 NM12 NMtropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to Aprilmostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coastIndian Ocean 0 mPiton des Neiges 3,069 mfish, arable land, hydropower17%2%5%35%41% (1993 est.)60 sq km (1993 est.)periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcanoNA732,570 (July 2001 est.) 32.07% (male 120,259; female 114,669) 62.25% (male 224,347; female 231,698) 5.68% (male 16,892; female 24,705) (2001 est.)1.57% (2001 est.)21.26 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.52 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)8.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 72.93 years 69.53 years 76.49 years (2001 est.)2.58 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAReunionese (singular and plural)ReunioneseFrench, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, IndianRoman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist (1995)French (official), Creole widely used age 15 and over can read and write 79% 76% 80% (1982 est.)Department of ReunionReunionnoneIle de la ReunionBourbon Islandoverseas department of FranceNASaint-Denisnone (overseas department of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantonsnone (overseas department of France)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)French law18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Robert POMMIES (since NA 1996)President of the General Council Jean-Luc POUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional Council Paul VERGES (since NA March 1993)NA French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councilsunicameral General Council (47 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council (45 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve six-year terms) General Council - last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA 2000); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004) General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 12, PS 12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 7, UDF 8, PS 6, RPR 4, various right-wing candidates 15, various left-wing candidates 5 note- Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate; elections last held 14 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 1, PCR 2; Reunion also elects five deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May and 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PCR 3, PS 1, and RPR-UDF 1Court of Appeals or Cour d AppelCommunist Party of Reunion or PCR [Paul VERGES]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Andre Maurice PIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Gilbert GERARD]NAFZ, InOC, WFTUthe flag of France is used Reunion EconomyThe economy has traditionally been based on agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to relieve high unemployment, which amounts to more than 40% of the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other segments of the population, often approaching European standards, whereas minority groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from France.purchasing power parity - $3.4 billion (1998 est.)3.8% (1998 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,800 (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%261,000 (1995)agriculture 8%, industry 19%, services 73% (1990)42.8% (1998)NANAsugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil extractionNA%1.1 billion kWh (1999)54.55%45.45%0% 0% (1999)1.023 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits, vegetables, corn$214 million (f.o.b., 1997)sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%, lobster 3%, (1993)France 74%, Japan 6%, Comoros 4% (1994)$2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997)manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum productsFrance 64%, Bahrain 3%, Germany 3%, Italy 3% (1994)$NA$NA; note - substantial annual subsidies from FranceFrench franc (FRF); euro (EUR)FRF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.06594 (January 2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year Reunion Communications236,500 (1997)85,000 (1999) adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis modern open wire and microwave radio relay network radiotelephone communication to Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 2, FM 55, shortwave 0 (1998)173,000 (1997)22 (plus 18 low-power repeaters) (1997)127,000 (1997).re1 (2000)10,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km2,724 km1,300 km (including 73 km of four-lane road)1,424 km note- 370 km of road are maintained by national authorities, 754 km by departmental authorities and 1600 km by local authorities (1994)noneLe Port, Pointe des Galets1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 28,264 GRT/44,885 DWTchemical tanker 1 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.)French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 190,846 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 97,497 (2001 est.)males- 6,243 (2001 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- noneRomaniaSoviet occupation following World War II led to the formation of a communist "peoples republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of President Nicolae CEAUSESCU became increasingly draconian through the 1980s. He was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Much economic restructuring remains to be carried out before Romania can achieve its hope of joining the EU.Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine46 00 N, 25 00 EEurope237,500 sq km230,340 sq km7,160 sq kmslightly smaller than Oregontotal- 2,508 kmBulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Yugoslavia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km225 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtemperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstormscentral Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian AlpsBlack Sea 0 mMoldoveanu 2,544 mpetroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower41%3%21%29%6% (1993 est.)31,020 sq km (1993 est.)earthquakes most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslidessoil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlandsAir Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolcontrols most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine22,364,022 (July 2001 est.) 17.95% (male 2,054,323; female 1,959,196) 68.51% (male 7,605,751; female 7,715,434) 13.54% (male 1,255,880; female 1,773,438) (2001 est.)-0.21% (2001 est.)10.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.28 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)19.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 70.16 years 66.36 years 74.19 years (2001 est.)1.35 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)7,000 (1999 est.)350 (1999 est.)Romanian(s)RomanianRomanian 89.5%, Hungarian 7.1%, Roma 1.8%, German 0.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, other 0.8% (1992)Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 3%, Uniate Catholic 3%, Protestant 6%, unaffiliated 18%Romanian, Hungarian, German age 15 and over can read and write 97% 98% 95% (1992 est.)noneRomanianoneRomaniarepublicBucharest40 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December 1947)Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)8 December 1991former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is now based on the constitution of France s Fifth Republic18 years of age; universalPresident Ion ILIESCU (since 20 December 2000)Prime Minister Adrian NASTASE (since 29 December 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 November 2000, with runoff between the top two candidates held 10 December 2000 (next to be held NA November/December 2004); prime minister appointed by the president percent of vote - Ion ILIESCU 66.84%, Corneliu Vadim TUDOR 33.16%bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (140 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Adunarea Deputatilor (345 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004); Chamber of Deputies - last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in the fall of 2004) Senate - percent of vote by party - PDSR 37.1%, PRM 21.0%, PD 7.6%, PNL 7.5%, UDMR 6.9%; seats by party - PDSR 65, PRM 37, PD 13, PNL 13, UDMR 12; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PDSR 36.6%, PRM 19.5%, PD 7.0%, PNL, 6.9%, UDMR 6.8%; seats by party - PDSR 155, PRM 84, PD 31, PNL 30, UDMR 27, ethnic minorities 18Supreme Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistrates)Democratic Party or PD [Petre ROMAN]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Mircea IONESCU-QUINTUS]; Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR [Adrian NASTASE]; Romania Mare Party (Greater Romanian Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; The Democratic Convention or CDR [Ion DIACONESCU]various human rights and professional associationsACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador (vacant) 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851 [1] (202) 232-4748 Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador James C. ROSAPEPE Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) [40] (1) 210 40 42 [40] (1) 210 03 95 branch office(s)- Cluj-Napocathree equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova Romania EconomyRomania, one of the poorest countries in Central and Eastern Europe, began the transition from communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country s needs. Over the past decade economic restructuring has lagged behind most other countries in the region. Consequently, living standards have continued to fall - real wages are down over 40%. Corruption too has worsened. The EU ranks Romania last among enlargement candidates, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) rates Romania s transition progress the region s worst. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. A new government elected in November 2000 promises to promote economic reform. Bucharest hopes to receive financial and technical assistance from international financial institutions and Western governments; negotiations over a new IMF standby agreement are to begin early in 2001. If reform stalls, Romania s ability to borrow from both public and private sources could quickly dry up, leading to another financial crisis.purchasing power parity - $132.5 billion (2000 est.)2.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2000 est.)13.9%32.6%53.5% (2000)44.5% (2000)3.8%20.2% (1992)45.7% (2000 est.)9.9 million (1999 est.)agriculture 40%, industry 25%, services 35% (1998)11.5% (1999)$11.7 billion$12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining8% (2000)49.036 billion kWh (1999)53.99%36.18%9.81% 0.02% (1999)44.768 billion kWh (1999)1.935 billion kWh (1999)1.1 billion kWh (1999)wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep$11.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)textiles and footwear 26%, metals and metal products 15%, machinery and equipment 11%, minerals and fuels 6% (1999)Italy 23%, Germany 18%, France 6%, Turkey 5%, US (1999)$11.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment 23%, fuels and minerals 12%, chemicals 9%, textile and products 19% (1999)Italy 20%, Germany 19%, France 7%, Russia 6% (1999)$9.3 billion (2000 est.)leu (ROL)ROLlei per US dollar - 26,243.0 (January 2001), 21,708.7 (2000), 15,332.8 (1999), 8,875.6 (1998), 7,167.9 (1997), 3,084.2 (1996); note - lei is the plural form of leucalendar year Romania Communications3.777 million (1997)645,500 (1999) poor domestic service, but improving 90% of telephone network is automatic; trunk network is mostly microwave radio relay, with some fiber-optic cable; about one-third of exchange capacity is digital; roughly 3,300 villages have no service satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; new digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest; note - Romania is an active participant in several international telecommunication network projects (1999)AM 40, FM 202, shortwave 3 (1998)7.2 million (1997)48 (plus 392 repeaters) (1995)5.25 million (1997).ro38 (2000)600,000 (2000)11,385 km (3,888 km electrified)10,898 km487 km (1996)153,359 km103,671 km (including 133 km of expressways)49,688 km (1998 est.)1,724 km (1984)crude oil 2,800 km; petroleum products 1,429 km; natural gas 6,400 km (1992)Braila, Constanta, Galati, Mangalia, Sulina, Tulcea95 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 695,227 GRT/931,598 DWTbulk 10, cargo 71, container 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)62 (2000 est.) 25 3 10 12 (2000 est.) 37 2 12 23 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Civil Defense20 years of agemales age 15-49- 5,899,536 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 4,962,807 (2001 est.)males- 179,951 (2001 est.)$720 million (FY00)2.2% (FY00)international- noneimportant transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for Western EuropeRussiaThe defeat of the Russian Empire in World War I led to the seizure of power by the communists and the formation of the USSR. The brutal rule of Josef STALIN (1924-53) strengthened Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into 15 independent republics. Since then, Russia has struggled in its efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to replace the strict social, political, and economic controls of the communist period.Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean60 00 N, 100 00 EAsia17,075,200 sq km16,995,800 sq km79,400 sq kmslightly less than 1.8 times the size of the UStotal- 19,961 kmAzerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485 km, Norway 167 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576 km37,653 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coastbroad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regionsCaspian Sea -28 mGora El brus 5,633 mwide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note- formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources8%0%4%46%42% (1993 est.)40,000 sq km (1993 est.)permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsulaair pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and sea coasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; ground water contamination from toxic wasteAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollargest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture145,470,197 (July 2001 est.) 17.41% (male 12,915,026; female 12,405,341) 69.78% (male 49,183,000; female 52,320,962) 12.81% (male 5,941,944; female 12,703,924) (2001 est.)-0.35% (2001 est.)9.35 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.85 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.47 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female (2001 est.)20.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 67.34 years 62.12 years 72.83 years (2001 est.)1.27 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.18% (1999 est.)130,000 (1999 est.)850 (1999 est.)Russian(s)RussianRussian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Byelorussian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1%Russian Orthodox, Muslim, otherRussian, other age 15 and over can read and write 98% 100% 97% (1989 est.)Russian FederationRussiaRossiyskaya FederatsiyaRossiyaRussian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist RepublicfederationMoscow49 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics* (respublik, singular - respublika), 10 autonomous okrugs**(avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 6 krays*** (krayev, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (singular - gorod)****, and 1 autonomous oblast*****(avtonomnaya oblast ); Adygeya (Maykop)*, Aginskiy Buryatskiy (Aginskoye)**, Altay (Gorno-Altaysk)*, Altayskiy (Barnaul)***, Amurskaya (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel skaya, Astrakhanskaya, Bashkortostan (Ufa)*, Belgorodskaya, Bryanskaya, Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude)*, Chechnya (Groznyy)*, Chelyabinskaya, Chitinskaya, Chukotskiy (Anadyr )**, Chuvashiya (Cheboksary)*, Dagestan (Makhachkala)*, Evenkiyskiy (Tura)**, Ingushetiya (Nazran )*, Irkutskaya, Ivanovskaya, Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal chik)*, Kaliningradskaya, Kalmykiya (Elista)*, Kaluzhskaya, Kamchatskaya (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk)*, Kareliya (Petrozavodsk)*, Kemerovskaya, Khabarovskiy***, Khakasiya (Abakan)*, Khanty-Mansiyskiy (Khanty-Mansiysk)**, Kirovskaya, Komi (Syktyvkar)*, Koryakskiy (Palana)**, Kostromskaya, Krasnodarskiy***, Krasnoyarskiy***, Kurganskaya, Kurskaya, Leningradskaya, Lipetskaya, Magadanskaya, Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola)*, Mordoviya (Saransk)*, Moskovskaya, Moskva (Moscow)****, Murmanskaya, Nenetskiy (Nar yan-Mar)**, Nizhegorodskaya, Novgorodskaya, Novosibirskaya, Omskaya, Orenburgskaya, Orlovskaya (Orel), Penzenskaya, Permskaya, Komi-Permyatskiy (Kudymkar)**, Primorskiy (Vladivostok)***, Pskovskaya, Rostovskaya, Ryazanskaya, Sakha (Yakutsk)*, Sakhalinskaya (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samarskaya, Sankt-Peterburg (Saint Petersburg)****, Saratovskaya, Severnaya Osetiya-Alaniya [North Ossetia] (Vladikavkaz)*, Smolenskaya, Stavropol skiy***, Sverdlovskaya (Yekaterinburg), Tambovskaya, Tatarstan (Kazan )*, Taymyrskiy (Dudinka)**, Tomskaya, Tul skaya, Tverskaya, Tyumenskaya, Tyva (Kyzyl)*, Udmurtiya (Izhevsk)*, Ul yanovskaya, Ust -Ordynskiy Buryatskiy (Ust -Ordynskiy)**, Vladimirskaya, Volgogradskaya, Vologodskaya, Voronezhskaya, Yamalo-Nenetskiy (Salekhard)**, Yaroslavskaya, Yevreyskaya*****; note - when using a place name with an adjectival ending skaya or skiy, the word Oblast or Avonomnyy Okrug or Kray should be added to the place name note- the autonomous republics of Chechnya and Ingushetiya were formerly the autonomous republic of Checheno-Ingushetia (the boundary between Chechnya and Ingushetia has yet to be determined); administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)Russia Day, 12 June (1990)adopted 12 December 1993based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts18 years of age; universalPresident Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (acting president since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000)Premier Mikhail Mikhaylovich KASYANOV (since 7 May 2000); First Deputy Premier Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 18 May 2000), Deputy Premiers Aleksey Vasilyevich GORDEYEV (since 20 May 2000), Viktor Borisovich KHRISTENKO (since 31 May 1999), Ilya Iosifovich KLEBANOV (since 31 May 1999), Valentina Ivanovna MATVIYENKO (since 22 September 1998)Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of the premier and his deputies, ministers, and other agency heads; all are appointed by the president note- there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 March 2000 (next to be held NA 2004); note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election is held, which must be within three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval of the Duma Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN elected president; percent of vote - PUTIN 52.9%, Gennadiy Aadreyevich ZYUGANOV 29.2%, Grigoriy Alekseyevich YAVLINSKIY 5.8%bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (178 seats; as of July 2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in each of the 89 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; members serve four-year terms) and the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; half elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at least 5% of the vote, and half from single-member constituencies; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) State Duma - last held 19 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2003) State Duma - percent of vote received by parties clearing the 5% threshold entitling them to a proportional share of the 225 party list seats - KPRF 24.29%, Unity 23.32%, OVR 13.33%, Union of Right Forces 8.52%, LDPR 5.98%, Yabloko 5.93%; seats by party - KPRF 113, Unity 72, OVR 67, Union of Rightist Forces 29, LDPR 17, Yabloko 21, other 16, independents 106, repeat election required 8, vacant 1Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Superior Court of Arbitration; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the presidentAgrarian Party [Mikhail Ivanovich LAPSHIN]; Communist Party of the Russian Federation or KPRF [Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Fatherland-All Russia or OVR [Yuriy Mikhailovich LUZHKOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Union of Right Forces [Anatoliy Borisovich CHUBAYS, Yegor Timurovich GAYDAR, Irina Mutsuovna KHAKAMADA, Boris Yefimovich NEMTSOV]; Unity [Sergey Kuzhugetovich SHOYGU]; Yabloko Bloc [Grigoriy Alekseyevich YAVLINSKIY] note- some 150 political parties, blocs, and movements registered with the Justice Ministry as of the 19 December 1998 deadline to be eligible to participate in the 19 December 1999 Duma elections; of these, 36 political organizations actually qualified to run slates of candidates on the Duma party list ballot, 6 parties cleared the 5% threshold to win a proportional share of the 225 party seats in the Duma, 9 other organizations hold seats in the Duma- Bloc of Nikolayev and Academician Fedorov, Congress of Russian Communities, Movement in Support of the Army, Our Home Is Russia, Party of Pensioners, Power to the People, Russian All-People s Union, Russian Socialist Party, and Spiritual Heritage; primary political blocs include pro-market democrats - (Yabloko Bloc and Union of Right Forces), anti-market and/or ultranationalist (Communist Party of the Russian Federation and Liberal Democratic Party of Russia)NAAPEC, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, G- 8, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer), ZC Ambassador Yuriy Viktorovich USHAKOV 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708 [1] (202) 298-5735 New York, San Francisco, and Seattle Ambassador James F. COLLINS Novinskiy Bul var 19/23, 121099 Moscow APO AE 09721 [7] (095) 728-5000 [7] (095) 728-5203 Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburgthree equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red Russia EconomyA decade after the implosion of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia is still struggling to establish a modern market economy and achieve strong economic growth. In contrast to its trading partners in Central Europe - which were able to overcome the initial production declines that accompanied the launch of market reforms within three to five years - Russia saw its economy contract for five years, as the executive and legislature dithered over the implementation of many of the basic foundations of a market economy. Russia achieved a slight recovery in 1997, but the government s stubborn budget deficits and the country s poor business climate made it vulnerable when the global financial crisis swept through in 1998. The crisis culminated in the August depreciation of the ruble, a debt default by the government, and a sharp deterioration in living standards for most of the population. The economy rebounded in 1999 and 2000, buoyed by the competitive boost from the weak ruble and a surging trade surplus fueled by rising world oil prices. This recovery, along with a renewed government effort in 2000 to advance lagging structural reforms, have raised business and investor confidence over Russia s prospects in its second decade of transition. Yet serious problems persist. Russia remains heavily dependent on exports of commodities, particularly oil, natural gas, metals, and timber, which account for over 80% of exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia s agricultural sector remains beset by uncertainty over land ownership rights, which has discouraged needed investment and restructuring. Another threat is negative demographic trends, fueled by low birth rates and a deteriorating health situation - including an alarming rise in AIDS cases - that have contributed to a nearly 2% drop in the population since 1992. Russia s industrial base is increasingly dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve sustainable economic growth. Other problems include widespread corruption, capital flight, and brain drain.purchasing power parity - $1.12 trillion (2000 est.)6.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2000 est.)7%34%59% (1999 est.)40% (1999 est.)1.7%38.7% (1998)20.6% (2000 est.)66 million (1997)agriculture 15%, industry 30%, services 55% (1999 est.)10.5% (2000 est.), plus considerable underemployment$40 billion$33.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts8.8% (2000 est.)798.065 billion kWh (1999)66.31%19.79%13.9% 0% (1999)728.2 billion kWh (1999)20 billion kWh (1999)6 billion kWh (1999)grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef, milk$105.1 billion (2000 est.)petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufacturesUS 8.8%, Germany 8.5%, Ukraine 6.5%, Belarus 5.1%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 4.8% (1999)$44.2 billion (2000 est.)machinery and equipment, consumer goods, medicines, meat, grain, sugar, semifinished metal productsGermany 13.8%, Belarus 10.7%, Ukraine 8.3%, US 7.9%, Kazakhstan 4.6%, Italy 3.8% (1999)$163 billion (2000 est.)$8.523 billion (1995)Russian ruble (RUR)RURRussian rubles per US dollar - 28.3592 (January 2001), 28.1292 (2000), 24.6199 (1999), 9.7051 (1998), 5,785 (1997), 5,121 (1996) note- the post-1 January 1998 ruble is equal to 1,000 of the pre-1 January 1998 rublescalendar year Russia Communications30 million (1998)2.5 million (October 2000) the telephone system has undergone significant changes in the 1990s; there are more than 1,000 companies licensed to offer communication services; access to digital lines has improved, particularly in urban centers; Internet and e-mail services are improving; Russia has made progress toward building the telecommunications infrastructure necessary for a market economy; however, a large demand for main line service remains unsatisfied cross-country digital trunk lines run from Saint Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are still outdated, inadequate, and low density Russia is connected internationally by three undersea fiber-optic cables; digital switches in several cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls; satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systemsAM 420, FM 447, shortwave 56 (1998)61.5 million (1997)7,306 (1998)60.5 million (1997).ru35 (2000)9.2 million (2000)149,000 km note- 86,000 km are in common carrier service; 63,000 km serve specific industries and are not available for common carrier use; 40,000 km of the railway in common carrier use are electrified broad gauge- 149,000 km 1.520-m gauge (1998)952,000 km752,000 km (including, in addition to about 336,000 km of conventionally paved roads, about 416,000 km of roads, the surfaces of which have been stabilized with gravel or other coarse aggregates, making them trafficable in wet weather)200,000 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1998)95,900 km (total routes in general use) note- routes with navigation guides serving the Russian River Fleet-95,900 km; routes with night navigational aids-60,400 km; man-made navigable routes-16,900 km (Jan 1994)crude oil 48,000 km; petroleum products 15,000 km; natural gas 140,000 km (June 1993 est.)Arkhangel sk, Astrakhan , Kaliningrad, Kazan , Khabarovsk, Kholmsk, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Nevel sk, Novorossiysk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Saint Petersburg, Rostov, Sochi, Tuapse, Vladivostok, Volgograd, Vostochnyy, Vyborg878 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,314,485 GRT/5,344,958 DWTbarge carrier 1, bulk 20, cargo 543, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 21, combination ore/oil 7, container 31, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 35, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 164, refrigerated cargo 24, roll on/roll off 17, short-sea passenger 7 note- includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience- Reunion 1 (2000 est.)2,743 (2000 est.) 471 56 178 76 69 92 (2000 est.) 2,272 28 118 204 324 1,598 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Strategic Rocket Forces18 years of agemales age 15-49- 38,866,147 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 30,337,743 (2001 est.)males- 1,242,778 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- dispute over at least two small sections of the boundary with China remains to be settled, despite 1997 boundary agreement; islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan and the Habomai group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan; Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996, which has not been signed or ratified by Russia as of February 2001; draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Latvia has not been signed; 1997 border agreement with Lithuania not yet ratified; has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation; Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute between Norway and Russialimited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of amphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian opiates and cannabis and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe, possibly to the US, and growing domestic market; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are major concerns; heroin an increasing threat in domestic drug marketRwandaIn 1959, three years before independence, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire, now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC). Since then most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda s first local elections in March 1999 - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output and to foster reconciliation. A series of massive population displacements, a nagging Hutu extremist insurgency, and Rwandan involvement in two wars over the past four years in the neighboring DROC continue to hinder Rwanda s efforts.Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo2 00 S, 30 00 EAfrica26,338 sq km24,948 sq km1,390 sq kmslightly smaller than Marylandtotal- 893 kmBurundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possiblemostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to eastRusizi River 950 mVolcan Karisimbi 4,519 mgold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land35%13%18%22%12% (1993 est.)40 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congodeforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poachingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test BanLaw of the Sealandlocked; predominantly rural population7,312,756 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 42.4% (male 1,555,878; female 1,544,942) 54.73% (male 1,989,501; female 2,013,012) 2.87% (male 83,769; female 125,654) (2001 est.)1.16% (2001 est.)33.97 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)21.13 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)118.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 38.99 years 38.35 years 39.65 years (2001 est.)4.89 children born/woman (2001 est.)11.21% (1999 est.)400,000 (1999 est.)40,000 (1999 est.)Rwandan(s)RwandanHutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%Roman Catholic 52.7%, Protestant 24%, Adventist 10.4%, Muslim 1.9%, indigenous beliefs and other 6.5%, none 4.5% (1996)Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers age 15 and over can read and write 48% 52% 45% (1995 est.)Rwandese RepublicRwandaRepublika y u RwandaRwandaRuandarepublic; presidential, multiparty systemKigali12 prefectures (in French - prefectures, singular - prefecture; in Kinyarwanda - plural - NA, singular - prefegitura); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali Rurale, Kigali-ville, Umutara, Ruhengeri1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)Independence Day, 1 July (1962)on 5 May 1995, the Transitional National Assembly adopted as Fundamental Law the constitution of 18 June 1991, provisions of the 1993 Arusha peace accord, the July 1994 Declaration by the Rwanda Patriotic Front, and the November 1994 multiparty protocol of understandingbased on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal adultnone (landlocked)President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (FPR) (since 22 April 2000)Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the president normally the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special election for new president by deputies of the National Assembly and governmental ministers held 17 April 2000 (next national election to be held NA 2003); prime minister is appointed by the president Paul KAGAME (FPR) elected president in a special parliamentary/ministerial ballot receiving 81 of a possible 86 votesunicameral Transitional National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale de Transition (a power-sharing body with 70 seats established on 12 December 1994 following a multiparty protocol of understanding; members were named by their parties, number of seats per party predetermined by the Arusha peace accord) note- four additional seats, two for women and two for youth, added in 2001 the last national legislative elections were held 16 December 1988 for the National Development Council (the legislature prior to the advent of the Transitional National Assembly); no elections have been held for the Transitional National Assembly as the distribution of seats was predetermined by the Arusha peace accord percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FPR 13, MDR 13, PSD 13, PL 13, PDC 6, RPA 6, PSR 2, PDI 2, UDPR 2; note - the distribution of seats was predetermined, four additional seats (two for women and two for youth) added in 2001Supreme Court; communal courts; appeals courtsCentrist Democratic Party or PDC [Jean-Nipomuscene NAYINZIRA]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Charles NTAKIRUTINKA, Vincent BIRUTA, Augusin IYAMUREMYE]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Adrien RANGIRA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR [Celestin KABANDA, Emile NTWARABAKIGA, Christian MARARA]; Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL [Pie MUGABO, Enock KABERA, Prosper MUGIRANEZA]; Rwanda Patriotic Army or RPA [Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME, commander]; Rwanda Patriotic Front or FPR [Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME]; Rwandan Socialist Party or PSR [Medard RUTIJANWA]IBUKA - association of genocide survivorsACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Richard SEZIBERA 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 232-2882 [1] (202) 232-4544 Ambassador George M. STAPLES Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali B. P. 28, Kigali [250] 756 01 through 03, 721 26, 771 47 [250] 721 28three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Guinea, which has a plain yellow band Rwanda EconomyRwanda is a rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa; is landlocked; and has few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary exports are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda s fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country s ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made significant progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy. GDP has rebounded, and inflation has been curbed. In June 1998, Rwanda signed an Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) with the IMF. Rwanda has also embarked upon an ambitious privatization program with the World Bank. Continued growth in 2001 depends on the maintenance of international aid levels and the strengthening of world prices of coffee and tea.purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (2000 est.)5.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $900 (2000 est.)40%20%40% (2000 est.)70% (2000 est.)4.2%24.2% (1983-85)4% (2000)3.6 millionagriculture 90%NA%$198 million$411 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes8.7% (1998 est.)132 million kWh (1999)3.03%96.97%0% 0% (1999)191.8 million kWh (1999)1 million kWh (1999)70 million kWh (1999)coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock$68.4 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)coffee, tea, hides, tin oreGermany, Belgium, Pakistan, Italy, Kenya$245.9 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction materialKenya, Tanzania, US, Benelux, France, India$1.3 billion (1999)$591.5 million (1997); note - in summer 1998, Rwanda presented its policy objectives and development priorities to donor governments resulting in multiyear pledges in the amount of $250 millionRwandan franc (RWF)RWFRwandan francs per US dollar - 432.24 (January 2001), 389.70 (2000), 333.94 (1999) 312.31 (1998), 301.53 (1997), 306.82 (1996)calendar year Rwanda Communications15,000 (1995)NA note- however, Rwanda has mobile cellular service between Kigali and several prefecture capitals (2000) telephone system primarily serves business and government the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the prefectures by microwave radio relay; the remainder of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)601,000 (1997)2 (1997)NA; probably less than 1,000 (1997).rw1 (2000)1,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km12,000 km1,000 km11,000 km (1997 est.)note- Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craftCyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye8 (2000 est.) 4 1 2 1 (2000 est.) 4 1 3 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Forcemales age 15-49- 1,815,633 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 924,544 (2001 est.)$58 million (FY01)3.2% (FY01)international- Rwandan military forces are supporting the rebel forces in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the CongoSaint HelenaUninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, St. Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE s exile, from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Ascension Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Gough Island has a meteorological station.islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about mid-way between South America and Africa15 56 S, 5 42 WAfrica410 sq km410 sq km0 sq km note- includes St. Helena Island, Ascension, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha, which consists of Tristan da Cunha Island, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, and the three Nightingale Islandsslightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC0 km60 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMSaint Helena - tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Tristan da Cunha - temperate; marine, mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)Saint Helena - rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains note- the other islands of the group have a volcanic originAtlantic Ocean 0 mQueen Mary s Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 mfish6%0%6%6%82% (1993 est.)NA sq kmactive volcanism on Tristan da CunhaNAharbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns7,266 (July 2001 est.) 19.08% (male 699; female 687) 71.72% (male 2,711; female 2,500) 9.2% (male 286; female 383) (2001 est.)0.72% (2001 est.)13.49 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.33 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2001 est.)22.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.01 years 74.13 years 80.04 years (2001 est.)1.53 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASaint Helenian(s)Saint HelenianAfrican descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25%Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman CatholicEnglish age 20 and over can read and write 97% 97% 98% (1987 est.)noneSaint Helenaoverseas territory of the UKNAJamestown1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha*none (overseas territory of the UK)Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)1 January 1989NANA years of ageexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Governor and Commander in Chief David HOLLAMBY (since NA June 1999)Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarchunicameral Legislative Council (15 seats, including the speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 9 July 1997 (next to be held NA August 2001) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15Supreme Court; Magistrate s Court; Small Debts Court; Juvenile CourtnonenoneICFTUblue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship Saint Helena EconomyThe economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $5 million in 1997 or almost one-half of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK.purchasing power parity - $18 million (1998 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $2,500 (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%3.2% (1997 est.)3,500 (1998 est.) note- 1,200 of whom are working offshoreagriculture and fishing 6%, industry (mainly construction) 48%, services 46% (1987 est.)14% (1998 est.)$11.2 million$11 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92)construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishingNA%6 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)5.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, crawfish (on Tristan da Cunha)$704,000 (f.o.b., 1995)fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicraftsSouth Africa, UK$14.434 million (c.i.f., 1995)food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and partsUK, South Africa$NA$12.6 million (1995); note - $5.3 million from UK (1997)Saint Helenian pound (SHP)SHPSaint Helenian pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6047 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound1 April - 31 March Saint Helena Communications2,000 (1997)0 (1997) can communicate with any place in the world automatic network HF radiotelephone from Saint Helena to Ascension which is a major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK ; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)3,000 (1997)0 (1997)2,000 (1997).sh1 (2000)NA Communications - note- Gough Island has a meteorological station Railways- 0 km158 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 0 km)138 km (Saint Helena 98km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 0 km)NA km 20 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 0 km)noneGeorgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- noneSaint Kitts and NevisFirst settled by the British in 1623, the islands became an associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed.Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago17 20 N, 62 45 WCentral America and the Caribbean261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)261 sq km0 sq km1.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km135 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)volcanic with mountainous interiorsCaribbean Sea 0 mMount Liamuiga 1,156 marable land22%17%3%17%41% (1993 est.)NA sq kmhurricanes (July to October)NABiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whalingnone of the selected agreements38,756 (July 2001 est.) 29.84% (male 5,909; female 5,654) 61.37% (male 11,870; female 11,915) 8.79% (male 1,406; female 2,002) (2001 est.)-0.11% (2001 est.)18.78 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-10.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)16.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.01 years 68.22 years 73.97 years (2001 est.)2.41 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAKittitian(s), Nevisian(s)Kittitian, Nevisianpredominantly black some British, Portuguese, and LebaneseAnglican, other Protestant, Roman CatholicEnglish age 15 and over has ever attended school 97% 97% 98% (1980 est.)Federation of Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and NevisFederation of Saint Christopher and Nevisconstitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliamentBasseterre14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point19 September 1983 (from UK)Independence Day, 19 September (1983)19 September 1983based on English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Perlette LOUISY (since September 1997)Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor generalunicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members serve five-year terms) last held 6 March 2000 (next to be held by July 2005) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SKNLP 8, CCM 2, NRP 1Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts and Nevis)Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance AMORY]; Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]; People s Action Movement or PAM [Lindsey GRANT]; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS]NAACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Ambassador Dr. Osbert W. LIBURD 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 686-2636 [1] (202) 686-5740divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red Saint Kitts and Nevis EconomyThe economy has traditionally depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking activity have assumed larger roles. Most food is imported. The government has undertaken a program designed to revitalize the faltering sugar sector. It is also working to improve revenue collection in order to better fund social programs. In 1997 some leaders in Nevis were urging separation from Saint Kitts on the basis that Nevis was paying far more in taxes than it was receiving in government services, but the vote on cessation failed in August 1998. In late September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused approximately $445 million in damages and limited GDP growth for the year.purchasing power parity - $274 million (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,000 (2000 est.)5.5%22.5%72% (1996)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (2000 est.)18,172 (June 1995)NA4.5% (1997)$64.1 million$73.3 million, including capital expenditures of $10.4 million (1997 est.)sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beveragesNA%90 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)83.7 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish$53.2 million (2000 est.)machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobaccoUS 68.5%, UK 22.3%, Caricom countries 5.5% (1995 est.)$151.5 million (2000 est.)machinery, manufactures, food, fuelsUS 42.4%, Caricom countries 17.2%, UK 11.3% (1995 est.)$115.1 million (1998)$5.5 million (1995)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)calendar year Saint Kitts and Nevis Communications17,000 (1997)205 (1997) good interisland and international connections interisland links to Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone international calls are carried by radiotelephone to Antigua and Barbuda and switched there to submarine cable or to Intelsat; or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to IntelsatAM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)28,000 (1997)1 (plus three repeaters) (1997)10,000 (1997).kn16 (2000)2,000 (2000)58 km58 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane plantations (1995)320 km136 km184 km (2000)noneBasseterre, Charlestown Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard, Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force$NANA%international- nonetransshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and EuropeSaint LuciaThe island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979.Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago13 53 N, 60 68 WCentral America and the Caribbean620 sq km610 sq km10 sq km3.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km158 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to Augustvolcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleysCaribbean Sea 0 mMount Gimie 950 mforests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential8%21%5%13%53% (1993 est.)10 sq km (1993 est.)hurricanes and volcanic activitydeforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern regionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol158,178 (July 2001 est.) 32.13% (male 25,951; female 24,874) 62.59% (male 48,568; female 50,430) 5.28% (male 3,120; female 5,235) (2001 est.)1.23% (2001 est.)21.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-4.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)15.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 72.57 years 69 years 76.39 years (2001 est.)2.38 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASaint Lucian(s)Saint Lucianblack 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%English (official), French patois age 15 and over has ever attended school 67% 65% 69% (1980 est.)noneSaint LuciaWestminster-style parliamentary democracyCastries11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux Fort22 February 1979 (from UK)Independence Day, 22 February (1979)22 February 1979based on English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dr. Perlette LOUISY (since September 1997)Prime Minister Kenneth ANTHONY (since 24 May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997)Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor generalbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) House of Assembly - last held 23 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SLP 16, UWP 1Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)National Freedom Party or NFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; United Workers Party or UWP [Dr. Morella JOSEPH]NAACCT (associate), ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Sonia Merlyn JOHNNY 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 [1] (202) 364-6728 Miami and New Yorkblue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border Saint Lucia EconomyThe recent changes in the EU import preference regime and the increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. Improvement in the construction sector and growth of the tourism industry helped expand GDP in 1998-99. The agriculture sector registered its fifth year of decline in 1997 primarily because of a severe decline in banana production. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean, and the government is beginning to develop regulations for the small offshore financial sector.purchasing power parity - $700 million (2000 est.)0.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,500 (2000 est.)10.7%32.3%57% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (2000 est.)43,800agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and commerce 17.7% (1983 est.)15% (1996 est.)$141.2 million$146.7 million, including capital expenditures of $25.1 million (FY97/98 est.)clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing-8.9% (1997 est.)110 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)102.3 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa$68.3 million (2000 est.)bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oilUK 50%, US 24%, Caricom countries 16% (1995)$319.4 million (2000 est.)food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuelsUS 36%, Caricom countries 22%, UK 11%, Japan 5%, Canada 4% (1995)$131.6 million (1998)$51.8 million (1995)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)1 April - 31 March Saint Lucia Communications37,000 (1997)1,600 (1997) adequate system system is automatically switched direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat from MartiniqueAM 2, FM 7 (plus 3 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998)111,000 (1997)3 (of which two are commercial stations and one is a community antenna television or CATV channel) (1997)32,000 (1997).lc15 (2000)5,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,210 km63 km1,147 km (1996)noneCastries, Vieux Fort Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard$5 million (FY91/92)2% (FY91/92)international- nonetransit point for South American drugs destined for the US and EuropeSaint Pierre and MiquelonFirst settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France s once vast North American possessions.Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)46 50 N, 56 20 WNorth America242 sq km242 sq km0 sq km note- includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups1.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km120 km200 NM12 NMcold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windymostly barren rockAtlantic Ocean 0 mMorne de la Grande Montagne 240 mfish, deepwater ports13%0%0%4%83% (1993 est.)NA sq kmpersistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazardNAvegetation scanty6,928 (July 2001 est.) 25.85% (male 917; female 874) 64.22% (male 2,273; female 2,176) 9.93% (male 291; female 397) (2001 est.)0.43% (2001 est.)15.88 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.64 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-4.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)8.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.77 years 75.51 years 80.13 years (2001 est.)2.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAFrenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)FrenchBasques and Bretons (French fishermen)Roman Catholic 99%French age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (1982 est.)Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Pierre and MiquelonDepartement de Saint-Pierre et MiquelonSaint-Pierre et Miquelonself-governing territorial collectivity of FranceNASaint-Pierrenone (territorial collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions approved by the US Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre, Miquelonnone (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)French law with special adaptations for local conditions, such as housing and taxation18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Remi THUAU (since NA)President of the General Council Bernard LE SOAVEC (since NA 1996)NA French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 7 May 1995 (next to be held NA May 2002); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council is elected by the members of the councilunicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats - 15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections last held NA April 2000 (next to be held NA April 2006) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note- Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September 2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDF 1Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d AppelRassemblement pour la Republique or RPR [leader NA]; Socialist Party or PS [leader NA]; Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA]NAFZ, WFTUa yellow sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a dark blue background with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts- the top part is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions Saint Pierre and Miquelon EconomyThe inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are heavily subsidized by France to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects.purchasing power parity - $74 million (1996 est.); supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 millionNA%purchasing power parity - $11,000 (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%2.1% (1991-96 average)3,000 (1997)fishing 18%, industry (mainly fish-processing) 41%, services 41% (1996 est.)9.8% (1997)$70 million$60 million, including capital expenditures of $24 million (1996 est.)fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourismNA%40 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)37.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish$12 million (f.o.b., 1999)fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink peltsUS 43%, Egypt 14%, Japan 11%, Colombia 8% (1999)$55 million (f.o.b., 1999)meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materialsFrance 44%, Canada 40% (1999)$NAapproximately $65 million in annual grants from FranceFrench franc (FRF); euro (EUR)FRF; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.06594 (January 2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)calendar year Saint Pierre and Miquelon Communications4,000 (1997)0 (1994) adequate NA radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite systemAM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)4,000 (1997)0 (there are, however, two repeaters which rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997)4,000 (1997).pm1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km114 km69 km45 km (1994 est.)noneSaint Pierre Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- noneSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesDisputed between France and Great Britain in the 18th century, Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969, and independence in 1979.Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago13 15 N, 61 12 WCentral America and the Caribbean389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km)389 sq km0 sq kmtwice the size of Washington, DC0 km84 km24 NM200 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)volcanic, mountainousCaribbean Sea 0 mSoufriere 1,234 mhydropower, cropland10%18%5%36%31% (1993 est.)10 sq km (1993 est.)hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threatpollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitiveBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolthe administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada115,942 (July 2001 est.) 29.61% (male 17,466; female 16,865) 64.04% (male 38,074; female 36,179) 6.35% (male 3,162; female 4,196) (2001 est.)0.4% (2001 est.)17.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.16 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-7.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)16.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 72.56 years 70.83 years 74.34 years (2001 est.)2.06 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASaint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)Saint Vincentian or Vincentianblack 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, Seventh-Day Adventist, Hindu, other ProtestantEnglish, French patois age 15 and over has ever attended school 96% 96% 96% (1970 est.)noneSaint Vincent and the Grenadinesparliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the CommonwealthKingstown6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick27 October 1979 (from UK)Independence Day, 27 October (1979)27 October 1979based on English common law18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General David JACK (since 29 September 1989)Prime Minister Ralph GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001)Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime ministerunicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) last held 28 March 2001 (next to be held by NA March 2006) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)National Reform Party or NRP [Joel MIGUEL]; New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; People s Progressive Movement or PPM [Ken BOYEA]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [leader NA]; United People s Movement or UPM [Adrian SAUNDERS]; Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)NAACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO Ambassador Ellsworth JOHN 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 364-6730 [1] (202) 364-6736three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern Saint Vincent and the Grenadines EconomyAgriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this lower-middle-income economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and a high unemployment rate persists. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995. The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade. Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism. There is a small manufacturing sector and a small offshore financial sector whose particularly restrictive secrecy laws have caused some international concern.purchasing power parity - $322 million (2000 est.)2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,800 (2000 est.)10.6%17.5%71.9% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%2% (1999 est.)67,000 (1984 est.)agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.)22% (1997 est.)$85.7 million$98.6 million, including capital expenditures of $25.7 million (1997 est.)food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch-0.9% (1997 est.)82 million kWh (1999)73.17%26.83%0% 0% (1999)76.3 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish$53.7 million (2000 est.)bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquetsCaricom countries 49%, UK 16%, US 10% (1995)$185.6 million (2000 est.)foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuelsUS 36%, Caricom countries 28%, UK 13% (1995)$99.3 million (1998)$47.5 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (1998)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)XCDEast Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)calendar year Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Communications20,500 (1998)NA adequate system islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint LuciaAM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)77,000 (1997)1 (plus three repeaters) (1997)18,000 (1997).vc15 (2000)2,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,040 km320 km720 km (1996)noneKingstown800 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,705,336 GRT/10,134,002 DWTbarge carrier 1, bulk 131, cargo 395, chemical tanker 29, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 1, container 46, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 56, refrigerated cargo 42, roll on/roll off 49, short-sea passenger 11, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- China 4, Ireland 1, France 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 1, Croatia 10, India 1, Japan 2, Monaco 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Pakistan 1, Russia 1, Slovenia 5, UAE 1 (2000 est.)6 (2000 est.) 5 3 2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard$NANA%international- nonetransshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and EuropeSamoaNew Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand13 35 S, 172 20 WOceania2,860 sq km2,850 sq km10 sq kmslightly smaller than Rhode Island0 km403 km200 NM12 NMtropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October)narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interiorPacific Ocean 0 mMauga Silisili 1,857 mhardwood forests, fish, hydropower19%24%0%47%10%NA sq kmoccasional typhoons; active volcanismsoil erosionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreements179,058 (July 2001 est.) 31.88% (male 29,009; female 28,069) 62.44% (male 70,491; female 41,304) 5.68% (male 4,739; female 5,446) (2001 est.)-0.23% (2001 est.)15.59 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-11.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.71 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.39 male(s)/female (2001 est.)31.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.5 years 66.77 years 72.37 years (2001 est.)3.4 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASamoan(s)SamoanSamoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)Samoan (Polynesian), English age 15 and over can read and write 97% 97% 97% (1971 est.)Independent State of SamoaSamoaWestern Samoaconstitutional monarchy under native chiefApia11 districts; A ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa asaleleaga, Gaga emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa itea, Tuamasaga, Va a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated1 January 1962based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction21 years of age; universalChief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II (cochief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)Prime Minister TUILA EPA Sailele Malielegaoi (since 24 November 1998); note - TUILA EPA served as deputy prime minister since 1992; he assumed the prime ministership in November 1998 when former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacantCabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister s advice upon the death of Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assemblyunicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected by Samoans, 2 elected by non-Samoans; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Fono; members serve five-year terms) last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held by March 2006) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - HRPP 23, SNDP 13, independents 13Supreme Court; Court of AppealHuman Rights Protection Party or HRPP [TUILA EPA Sailele Malielegaoi, chairman]; Samoa All People s Party or SAPP [Matatumua NAIMOAGA]; Samoan National Development Party or SNDP [TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman] (opposition); Samoa National Party [FETU Tiatia, party secretary]; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party [LEOTA Ituau Ale]NAACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197 [1] (212) 599-0797 Ambassador Carol MOSELEY BRAUN (Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, resides in Wellington, New Zealand) 5th floor, Beach Road, Apia P. O. Box 3430, Apia [685] 21631 [685] 22030red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation Samoa EconomyThe economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 15% of GDP; about 85,000 tourists visited the islands in 2000. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low.purchasing power parity - $571 million (2000 est.)6.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2000 est.)15%24%61% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%0.8% (2000 est.)90,000 (2000 est.)agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.)NA%; note - substantial underemployment$74.8 million$81.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)food processing, building materials, auto parts10% (2000 est.)100 million kWh (1999)60%40%0% 0% (1999)93 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coconuts, bananas, taro, yams$17 million (f.o.b., 2000)coconut oil and cream, copra, fish, beerAmerican Samoa 59%, US 18%, Germany 9%, New Zealand 8% (2000 est.)$90 million (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffsNew Zealand 37%, Australia 24%, Fiji 14%, US 14% (2000 est.)$180 million (1998 est.)$42.9 million (1995)tala (WST)WSTtala per US dollar - 3.3400 (January 2001), 3.2712 (2000), 3.0120 (1999), 2.9429 (1998), 2.5562 (1997), 2.4618 (1996)calendar year Samoa Communications8,000 (1997)1,545 (February 1998) adequate NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)178,000 (1997)6 (1997)11,000 (1997).ws2 (2000)500 (2000) Railways- 0 km835 km267 km569 km (1983)noneApia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa3 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.)no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force$NANA% Military - note- Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendshipinternational- noneSan MarinoThe third smallest state in Europe (after The Holy See and Monaco) also claims to be the world s oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino s foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor.Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy43 46 N, 12 25 EEurope61.2 sq km61.2 sq km0 sq kmabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DCtotal- 39 kmItaly 39 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summersrugged mountainsTorrente Ausa 55 mMonte Titano 755 mbuilding stone17%0%0%0%83% (1993 est.)NA sq kmNANABiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Nuclear Test BanAir Pollutionlandlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines27,336 (July 2001 est.) 15.88% (male 2,241; female 2,100) 67.94% (male 9,048; female 9,525) 16.18% (male 1,902; female 2,520) (2001 est.)1.45% (2001 est.)10.76 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.68 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)11.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.09 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 81.23 years 77.68 years 85.1 years (2001 est.)1.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASammarinese (singular and plural)SammarineseSammarinese, ItalianRoman CatholicItalian age 10 and over can read and write 96% 97% 95% (1976 est.)Republic of San MarinoSan MarinoRepubblica di San MarinoSan Marinoindependent republicSan Marino9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle3 September 301Founding of the Republic, 3 September (301)8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitutionbased on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)cochiefs of state Captain Regent Luigi LONFERNINI and Captain Regent Fabio BERARDI (for the period 1 April 2001-30 September 2001)Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Gabriele GATTI (since NA July 1986)Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term cochiefs of state (captain regents) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA March 2001 (next to be held NA September 2001); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held NA June 1998 (next to be held NA June 2003) Luigi LONFERNINI and Fabio BERARDI elected captain regents; percent of legislative vote - NA; Gabriele GATTI reelected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - NA note- the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State) which has ten other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are three secretaries of state - Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Finance - and several additional secretaries; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed many of the prerogatives of a prime ministerunicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 31 May 1998 (next likely to be held by NA June 2001) percent of vote by party - PDCS 40.8%, PSS 23.3%, PPDS 18.6%, APDS 9.8%, RC 3.3%, SR 4.2%; seats by party - PDCS 25, PSS 14, PPDS 11, APDS 6, RC 2, SR 2Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XIICommunist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in Movement or IM [Alessandro ROSSI]; San Marino Christian Democratic Party or PDCS [Pier Marino MENICUCCI]; San Marino Popular Alliance of Democrats or APDS [Mario VENTURINI]; San Marino Progressive Democratic Party or PPDS [Claudio FELICI]; San Marino Socialist Party or PSS [Augusto CASALI]; Socialists for Reform or SR [Renzo GIARDI]NACE, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO Washington, DC, and New York honorary consulate(s)- Detroittwo equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty) San Marino EconomyThe tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 1999 more than 3 million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food.purchasing power parity - $860 million (2000 est.)8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $32,000 (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%2.2% (2000)18,500 (1999)services 60%, industry 38%, agriculture 2% (1998 est.)3% (1999)$400 million$400 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine6% (1997 est.)NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWh0 kWh note- electric power supplied by Italy (1999)NA kWh note- electricity supplied by Italywheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hidestrade data are included with the statistics for Italybuilding stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramicstrade data are included with the statistics for Italywide variety of consumer manufactures, food$NA$NAItalian lira (ITL); euro (EUR)ITL; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.06594 (January 2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999); Italian lire per US dollar - 1,736.2 (1998), 1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996)calendar year San Marino Communications18,000 (1998)3,010 (1998) adequate connections automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system connected to Italian international networkAM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)16,000 (1997)1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997)9,000 (1997).sm2 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km; note - there is a 1.5 km cable railway connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore220 km220 km0 km (2001)nonenonenoneVoluntary Military Force, Police Force$700,000 (FY00)NA%international- noneSao Tome and PrincipeDiscovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1991.Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon1 00 N, 7 00 EAfrica1,001 sq km1,001 sq km0 sq kmmore than five times the size of Washington, DC0 km209 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)volcanic, mountainousAtlantic Ocean 0 mPico de Sao Tome 2,024 mfish, hydropower2%36%1%0%61% (1993 est.)100 sq km (1993 est.)NAdeforestation; soil erosion and exhaustionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollutionnone of the selected agreements165,034 (July 2001 est.) 47.7% (male 39,857; female 38,859) 48.28% (male 38,430; female 41,246) 4.02% (male 3,034; female 3,608) (2001 est.)3.18% (2001 est.)42.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-3.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)48.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 65.59 years 64.15 years 67.07 years (2001 est.)6.02 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASao Tomean(s)Sao Tomeanmestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist)Portuguese (official) age 15 and over can read and write 73% 85% 62% (1991 est.)Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome and PrincipeRepublica Democratica de Sao Tome e PrincipeSao Tome e PrinciperepublicSao Tome2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note- Principe has had self-government since 29 April 199512 July 1975 (from Portugal)Independence Day, 12 July (1975)approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesPresident Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991)Prime Minister Guilherma Posser da COSTA (since 30 December 1998)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 June and 21 July 1996 (next to be held NA July 2001); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president Miguel TROVOADA reelected president in Sao Tome s second multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - Miguel TROVOADA 52.74%, Manuel Pinto da COSTA 47.26%unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 8 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003) percent of vote by party - MLSTP-PSD 56%, PCD 14.5%, ADI 29%; seats by party - MLSTP-PSD 31, ADI 16, PCD 8Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; other small partiesNAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Sao Tome and Principe EconomyThis small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 25 years ago. However, cocoa production has substantially declined because of drought and mismanagement. The resulting shortage of cocoa for export has created a persistent balance-of-payments problem. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a significant amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies, but economic growth has remained sluggish. Sao Tome is also optimistic that significant petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Corruption scandals continue to weaken the economy. At the same time, progress in the economic reform program has attracted international financial institutions support, and GDP growth will likely rise to at least 4% in 2001-02.purchasing power parity - $178 million (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)23%19%58% (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%5% (2000 est.)NApopulation mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing note- shortages of skilled workersNA%$58 million$114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.)light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timberNA%17 million kWh (1999)41.18%58.82%0% 0% (1999)15.8 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish$3.2 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oilNetherlands 18%, Germany 9%, Portugal 9% (1998)$40 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum productsPortugal 42%, US 20%, South Africa 6% (1998)$268 million (2000)$200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC programdobra (STD)STDdobras per US dollar - 2390.04 (December 2000), 7,119.0 (1999), 6,883.2 (1998), 4,552.5 (1997), 2,203.2 (1996)calendar year Sao Tome and Principe Communications3,000 (1997)6,942 (1997) adequate facilities minimal system satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)38,000 (1997)2 (1997)23,000 (1997).st2 (2000)500 (2000) Railways- 0 km320 km218 km102 km (1996)noneSanto Antonio, Sao Tome39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 130,843 GRT/149,048 DWTbulk 3, cargo 21, chemical tanker 1, container 3, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Security Policemales age 15-49- 34,205 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 18,043 (2001 est.)$1 million (FY94)1.5% (FY94)international- noneSaudi ArabiaIn 1902 Abdul al-Aziz Ibn SAUD captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian peninsula. In the 1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental concerns.Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen25 00 N, 45 00 EMiddle East1,960,582 sq km1,960,582 sq km0 sq kmslightly more than one-fifth the size of the UStotal- 4,415 kmIraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km2,640 km18 NMnot specified12 NMharsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperaturemostly uninhabited, sandy desertPersian Gulf 0 mJabal Sawda 3,133 mpetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper2%0%56%1%41% (1993 est.)4,350 sq km (1993 est.)frequent sand and dust stormsdesertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spillsClimate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementsextensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal22,757,092 note- includes 5,360,526 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) 42.52% (male 4,932,465; female 4,743,908) 54.8% (male 7,290,840; female 5,179,393) 2.68% (male 334,981; female 275,505) (2001 est.)3.27% (2001 est.)37.34 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.94 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.41 male(s)/female 1.22 male(s)/female 1.23 male(s)/female (2001 est.)51.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.09 years 66.4 years 69.85 years (2001 est.)6.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)NANASaudi(s)Saudi or Saudi ArabianArab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%Muslim 100%Arabic age 15 and over can read and write 62.8% 71.5% 50.2% (1995 est.)Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaAl Mamlakah al Arabiyah as SuudiyahAl Arabiyah as SuudiyahmonarchyRiyadh13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), Asir, Ha il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom)Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)governed according to Shari a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government s rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionnoneKing and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of governmentKing and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members none; the monarch is hereditarya consultative council (90 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)Supreme Council of Justicenone allowednoneABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 342-3800 Houston, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador Wyche FOWLER, Jr. Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail- P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 [966] (1) 488-3800 [966] (1) 488-7360 Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam Saudi Arabia EconomyThis is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 40% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 35% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 5 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. Saudi Arabia was a key player in the successful efforts of OPEC and other oil producing countries to raise the price of oil in 1999-2000 to its highest level since the Gulf war by reducing production. Riyadh expects to have a moderate budget deficit in 2001, in part because of increased spending for education and other social programs. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is expected to continue calling for private sector growth to lessen the kingdom s dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Shortages of water and rapid population growth will constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products.purchasing power parity - $232 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2000 est.)6%47%47% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%0.5% (2000)7 million note- 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)NA%$66 billion$66 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics1% (1997 est.)120 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)111.6 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk$81.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)petroleum and petroleum products 90%Japan 18%, US 18%, France 4%, South Korea, Singapore, India (1999)$30.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textilesUS 25%, Japan 10%, Germany 7%, Italy 5%, France, UK (1999)$26.3 billion (2000 est.) Economic aid - donor- pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 1993, Saudi Arabia has committed $208 million for assistance to the PalestiniansSaudi riyal (SAR)SARSaudi riyals per US dollar - 3.7450 (fixed rate since June 1986)calendar year Saudi Arabia Communications3.1 million (1998)1 million note- in 1998, the government contracted for the installation of 575,000 additional Group Speciale Mobile (GSM) cellular telephone lines over 15 months to raise the total number of subscribers to more than one million; Riyadh planned to further expand the GSM system in 1999 by adding an additional one million lines (1998) modern system extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)6.25 million (1997)117 (1997)5.1 million (1997).sa42 (2001)400,000 (2001)1,390 km1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)146,524 km44,104 km102,420 km (1997 est.)nonecrude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra s al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu al Sinaiyah71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,154,619 GRT/1,533,732 DWTcargo 11, chemical tanker 8, container 5, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 13, short-sea passenger 8 (2000 est.)206 (2000 est.) 70 31 11 23 3 2 (2000 est.) 136 5 77 39 15 (2000 est.)5 (2000 est.)Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)17 years of agemales age 15-49- 5,894,691 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 3,291,185 (2001 est.)males- 233,402 (2001 est.)$18.3 billion (FY00)13% (FY00)international- a final border resolution was agreed to with Qatar in March of 2001; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, de facto boundary reflects a 1974 agreement; a June 2000 treaty delimited the boundary with Yemen, but final demarcation requires adjustments based on tribal considerationsdeath penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin and cocaineSenegalIndependent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania14 00 N, 14 00 WAfrica196,190 sq km192,000 sq km4,190 sq kmslightly smaller than South Dakotatotal- 2,640 kmThe Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km531 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan windgenerally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeastAtlantic Ocean 0 munnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 mfish, phosphates, iron ore12%0%16%54%18% (1993 est.)710 sq km (1993 est.)lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughtswildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, WhalingMarine DumpingThe Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal10,284,929 (July 2001 est.) 44.07% (male 2,279,996; female 2,252,255) 52.88% (male 2,603,829; female 2,834,328) 3.05% (male 155,877; female 158,644) (2001 est.)2.93% (2001 est.)37.46 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.35 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)56.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 62.56 years 60.94 years 64.22 years (2001 est.)5.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.77% (1999 est.)79,000 (1999 est.)7,800 (1999 est.)Senegalese (singular and plural)SenegaleseWolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly Roman Catholic)French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka age 15 and over can read and write 33.1% 43% 23.2% (1995 est.)Republic of SenegalSenegalRepublique du SenegalSenegalrepublic under multiparty democratic ruleDakar10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor4 April 1960 (from France); complete independence was achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960Independence Day, 4 April (1960)3 March 1963, revised 1991based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government s accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000)Prime Minister Madior BOYE (since 3 March 2001)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 27 February and 19 March 2000 (next to be held 27 February 2007); prime minister appointed by the president Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of vote in the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, Abdou DIOUF (PS) 41.51%unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) note- the former National Assembly, dissolved in the spring of 2001, had 140 seats last held 29 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 89, AFP 11, PS 10, other 10Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals; note-the judicial system was reformed in 1992African Party for Democracy and Socialism or And Jef (also known as PADS/AJ) [Landing SAVANE, secretary general]; African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic and Patriotic Convention or CDP (also known as Garab-Gi) [Dr. Iba Der THIAM]; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and Democracy or FSD [Cheikh Abdoulaye DIEYE]; Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madier DIOUF]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE]; Senegalese Democratic Party-Renewal or PDS-R [Serigne Lamine DIOP, secretary general]; Senegalese Democratic Union-Renewal or UDS-R [Mamadou Puritain FALL]; Socialist Party or PS [President Abdou DIOUF]; SOPI Coalition (a 40-party coalition led by the PDS) [Abdoulaye WADE]; Union for Democratic Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA]; other small partieslabor; Muslim brotherhoods; students; teachersACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Mamadou Mansour SECK 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-0540 Ambassador Harriet L. ELAM-THOMAS Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar B. P. 49, Dakar [221] 823-4296, 823-7384 [221] 822-2991three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Senegal EconomyIn January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal s currency, the CFA franc, which is linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging 5% annually in 1995-99. Annual inflation has been pushed down to 2%, and the fiscal deficit has been cut to less than 1.5% of GDP. Investment rose steadily from 13.8% of GDP in 1993 to 16.5% in 1997. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff. Senegal also realized full Internet connectivity in 1996, creating a miniboom in information technology-based services. Private activity now accounts for 82% of GDP. On the negative side, Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic unemployment, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction. Real GDP growth is expected to rise above 6%, while inflation is likely to hold at 2% in 2001-02.purchasing power parity - $16 billion (2000 est.)5.7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2000 est.)19%20%61% (1997 est.)NA%1.4%42.8% (1991)1.5% (2000 est.)NAagriculture 60%NA%; urban youth 40%$885 million$885 million, including capital expenditures of $125 million (1996 est.)agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials7% (1998 est.)1.27 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)1.181 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish$959 million (f.o.b., 2000)fish, ground nuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cottonFrance 17%, India 17%, Italy 12%, Spain 6%, Mali 6%, Cote d Ivoire 4% (1999)$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000)foods and beverages, consumer goods, capital goods, petroleum productsFrance 30%, Nigeria 7%, Italy 6%, Thailand 5%, Germany 4%, US 4% (1999)$4.1 billion (1998 est.)$647.5 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African StatesXOFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1966); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per eurocalendar year Senegal Communications116,000 (1997)1,149 (1996) good system above-average urban system; microwave radio relay, coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system 4 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 10, FM 14, shortwave 0 (1998)1.24 million (1997)1 (1997)361,000 (1997).sn1 (2000)30,000 (2000)906 km906 km 1.000-meter gauge (70 km double track)14,576 km4,271 km10,305 km (1996)897 km note- 785 km on the Senegal river, and 112 km on the Saloum riverDakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard Toll, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor20 (2000 est.) 10 1 7 2 (2000 est.) 10 5 4 1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police (Surete Nationale)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,311,063 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,207,360 (2001 est.)males- 114,189 (2001 est.)$68 million (FY97)1.4% (FY97)international- nonetransshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabisSeychellesA lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993.Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar4 35 S, 55 40 EAfrica455 sq km455 sq km0 sq km2.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km491 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefsIndian Ocean 0 mMorne Seychellois 905 mfish, copra, cinnamon trees2%13%0%11%74% (1993 est.)NA sq kmlies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possiblewater supply depends on catchments to collect rainwaterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands79,715 (July 2001 est.) 28.27% (male 11,367; female 11,167) 65.47% (male 25,453; female 26,737) 6.26% (male 1,673; female 3,318) (2001 est.)0.49% (2001 est.)17.66 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-6.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.5 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)17.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 70.69 years 65.17 years 76.37 years (2001 est.)1.83 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASeychellois (singular and plural)SeychellesSeychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans)Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2%English (official), French (official), Creole age 15 and over can read and write 58% 56% 60% (1971 est.)Republic of SeychellesSeychellesrepublicVictoria23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse (on Mahe), Grand Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka29 June 1976 (from UK)Constitution Day, 18 June (1993)18 June 1993based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law17 years of age; universalPresident France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20-22 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2003) France Albert RENE reelected president; percent of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 66.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO) 19.5%, Sir James MANCHAM (DP) 13.8%unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25 elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least ten percent of the vote; members serve five-year terms) last held 20-22 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2003) percent of vote by party - SPPF 61.7%, UO 26.1%, DP 12.1%; seats by party - SPPF 30, UO 3, DP 1 note- the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the share of each party in the total voteCourt of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the presidentDemocratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM]; Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People s Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE] - the governing partyRoman Catholic Church; trade unionsACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 972-1785 [1] (212) 972-1786five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side Seychelles EconomySince independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. The vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp drop in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war. Although the industry has rebounded, the government recognizes the continuing need for upgrading the sector in the face of stiff international competition. Other issues facing the government are the curbing of the budget deficit and further privatization of public enterprises. Growth slowed in 1998-2000, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors. Tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have hindered short-term economic prospects. The black market value of the Seychelles ruppee is half the official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector should remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.purchasing power parity - $610 million (2000 est.)1.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2000 est.)3.1%26.3%70.6% (1999)NA%NA%NA%6% (1999 est.)30,900 (1996)industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989)NA%$249 million$262 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beveragesNA%160 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)148.8 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish$111 million (f.o.b., 1999)fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)France, UK, Netherlands, Italy, China, Germany, Japan$440 million (c.i.f., 1999)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicalsSouth Africa, UK, China, Singapore, France, Italy$240 million (1999 est.)$16.4 million (1995)Seychelles rupee (SCR)SCRSeychelles rupees per US dollar - 6.0397 (November 2000), 5.6009 (2000), 5,3426 (1999), 5.2622 (1998), 5.0263 (1997), 4.9700 (1996)calendar year Seychelles Communications19,635 (1997)16,316 (1999) effective system radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 2 (1998)42,000 (1997)2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)11,000 (1997).sc1 (2000)5,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km373 km315 km58 km (1997)noneVictoria1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,353 GRT/7,638 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)14 (2000 est.) 6 1 3 2 (2000 est.) 8 4 4 (2000 est.)Army, Coast Guard, air wing, National Guard, Presidential Protection Unit, Police Forcemales age 15-49- 22,951 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 11,452 (2001 est.)$13 million (FY93)2.8% (FY93)international- claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)Sierra LeoneSince 1991, civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well over one-third of the population) many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. A peace agreement, signed in July 1999, collapsed in May 2000 after the RUF took over 500 UN peacekeepers hostage. The RUF stepped up attacks on Guinea in December 2000, despite a cease-fire that it signed with the Freetown government one month earlier. As of late 2000, up to 13,000 UN peacekeepers were protecting the capital and key towns in the south. A UK force of 750 was helping to reinforce security and train the Sierra Leone army.Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia8 30 N, 11 30 WAfrica71,740 sq km71,620 sq km120 sq kmslightly smaller than South Carolinatotal- 958 kmGuinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km402 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NMtropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in eastAtlantic Ocean 0 mLoma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 mdiamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite7%1%31%28%33% (1993 est.)290 sq km (1993 est.)dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust stormsrapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements5,426,618 (July 2001 est.) 44.73% (male 1,190,207; female 1,237,326) 52.12% (male 1,351,455; female 1,477,155) 3.15% (male 84,364; female 86,111) (2001 est.)3.61% (2001 est.)45.11 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)19.19 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- by the end of 1999 refugees from Sierra Leone are assumed to be returning 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)146.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 45.6 years 42.69 years 48.61 years (2001 est.)6.01 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.99% (1999 est.)68,000 (1999 est.)8,200 (1999 est.)Sierra Leonean(s)Sierra Leonean20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia s recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and IndiansMuslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic 31.4% 45.4% 18.2% (1995 est.)Republic of Sierra LeoneSierra Leoneconstitutional democracyFreetown3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*27 April 1961 (from UK)Independence Day, 27 April (1961)1 October 1991; subsequently amended several timesbased on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentMinisters of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election held 26-27 February and 15 March 1996 (next to be held NA September 2001); note - president s tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms Ahmad Tejan KABBAH elected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 59.5%, John KAREFA-SMART (UNPP) 40.5%unicameral House of Representatives (80 seats - 68 elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members serve five-year terms) last held 26-27 February 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) percent of vote by party - SLPP 36.1%, UNPP 21.6%, PDP 15.3%, APC 5.7%, NUP 5.3%, DCP 4.8%, other 11.2%; seats by party - SLPP 27, UNPP 17, PDP 12, APC 5, NUP 4, DCP 3; note - first elections since the former House of Representatives was shut down by the military coup of 29 April 1992Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High CourtAll People s Congress or APC [Edward Mohammed TURAY, chairman]; Democratic Centre Party or DCP [Adu Aiah KOROMA]; National Democratic Alliance or NDA [Amadu M. B. JALLOH]; National Republican Party or NRP [Sahr Stephen MAMBU]; National Unity Party or NUP [Dr. John KARIMU, chairman]; People s Democratic Party or PDP [Thaimu BANGURA, chairman]; People s Progressive Party or PPP [Abass Chernok BUNDU, chairman]; Revolutionary United Front Party or RUFP [Foday SANKOH, chairman]; Sierra Leone People s Party or SLPP [President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH, chairman]; United National People s Party or UNPP [John KARIFA-SMART in exile, Raymond KAMARA, acting leader]Trade Unions and Student UnionsACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador John Ernest LEIGH 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 [1] (202) 483-1793 Ambassador Joseph H. MELROSE, Jr. Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown use embassy street address [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 [232] (22) 225471three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue Sierra Leone EconomySierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Bauxite and rutile mines have been shut down by civil strife. The major source of hard currency is found in the mining of diamonds, the large majority of which are smuggled out of the country. The resurgence of internal warfare in 1999 brought another substantial drop in GDP, with GNP recovering part of the way in 2000. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad.purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2000 est.)4.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $510 (2000 est.)43%26%31% (1999)68% (1989 est.)0.5%43.6% (1989)15% (2000 est.)1.369 million (1981 est.) note- only about 65,000 wage earners (1985)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%NA%$96 million$351 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)mining (diamonds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refiningNA%240 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)223.2 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish$65 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fishBelgium 38%, US 6%, Italy 4%, UK 4% (1999)$145 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicalsUK 34%, US 8%, Italy 7%, Nigeria 5% (1999)$1.28 billion (1999)$203.7 million (1995)leone (SLL)SLLleones per US dollar - 1,653.39 (January 2001), 2,092.13 (2000), 1,804.20 (1999), 1,563.62 (1998), 981.48 (1997), 920.73 (1996)calendar year Sierra Leone Communications17,000 (1997)650 (1999) marginal telephone and telegraph service national microwave radio relay trunk system, made unserviceable by military activities, is now operating from Freetown to Bo and Kenema (April 2001) satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999)1.12 million (1997)2 (1999)53,000 (1997).sl1 (2000)2,000 (2000)84 km used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed84 km 1.067-m gauge11,300 km904 km10,396 km (1997)800 km (of which 600 km navigable year round)Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,057 GRT/3,498 DWTcargo 1 (2000 est.)11 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 10 7 3 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Armymales age 15-49- 1,161,790 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 563,631 (2001 est.)$46 million (FY96/97)2% (FY96/97)international- civil war has engendered massive refugee movements into neighboring Guinea and LiberiaSingaporeFounded as a British trading colony in 1819, Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963, but withdrew two years later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the world s most prosperous countries, with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world s busiest) and with per capita GDP above that of the leading nations of Western Europe.Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia1 22 N, 103 48 ESoutheast Asia647.5 sq km637.5 sq km10 sq kmslightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km193 kmexclusive fishing zone- within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice3 NMtropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstormslowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserveSingapore Strait 0 mBukit Timah 166 mfish, deepwater ports2%6%0%5%87% (1993 est.)NA sq kmNAindustrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in IndonesiaBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionnone of the selected agreementsfocal point for Southeast Asian sea routes4,300,419 (July 2001 est.) 17.89% (male 397,124; female 372,058) 75.16% (male 1,575,381; female 1,656,838) 6.95% (male 130,815; female 168,203) (2001 est.)3.5% (2001 est.)12.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.24 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)26.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)3.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 80.17 years 77.22 years 83.35 years (2001 est.)1.22 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.19% (1999 est.)4,000 (1999 est.)210 (1999 est.)Singaporean(s)SingaporeChinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4%Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, ConfucianistChinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official) age 15 and over can read and write 93.5% 97% 89.8% (1999)Republic of SingaporeSingaporeparliamentary republicSingaporenone9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)Independence Day, 9 August (1965)3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution)based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction21 years of age; universal and compulsoryexclusive fishing zone- within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practicePresident Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990) and Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995)Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 28 August 1999 (next to be held NA August 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN elected president unopposedunicameral Parliament (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 2 January 1997 (next to be held by 26 August 2002) percent of vote by party - PAP 65% (in contested constituencies), other 35%; seats by party - PAP 81, WP 1, SPP 1; note - subsequent to the election, there was a change in the distribution of seats, the new distribution is as follows- PAP 80, WP 1, SPP 1, vacant 1Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of AppealsPeople s Action Party or PAP [GOH Chok Tong, secretary general] - the governing party; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Singapore People s Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong]; Workers Party or WP [J. B. JEYARETNAM]NAAPEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, Australia Group (observer), BIS, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 537-3100 [1] (202) 537-0876 Los Angeles, San Francisco consulate(s)- New York Ambassador (vacant) 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 PSC Box 470, FPO AP 96534-0001 [65] 476-9100 [65] 476-9340two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle Singapore EconomySingapore is blessed with a highly developed and successful free-market economy, a remarkably open and corruption-free business environment, stable prices, and the fifth highest per capita GDP in the world. Exports, particularly in electronics and chemicals, and services are the main drivers of the economy. Mainly because of robust exports, especially electronic goods, the economy grew 10.1% in 2000. Forecasters, however, are projecting only 4%-6% growth in 2001 largely because of weaker global demand, especially in the US. The government promotes high levels of savings and investment through a mandatory savings scheme and spends heavily in education and technology. It also owns government-linked companies (GLCs) - particularly in manufacturing - that operate as commercial entities. As Singapore looks to a future increasingly marked by globalization, the country is positioning itself as the region s financial and high-tech hub.purchasing power parity - $109.8 billion (2000 est.)10.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $26,500 (2000 est.)NEGL%30%70%NA%NA%NA%1.4% (2000)2.1 million (2000)financial, business, and other services 35%, manufacturing 21%, construction 13%, transportation and communication 9%3% (2000 est.)$18.1 billion$17.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.5 billion (FY99/00 est.)electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, biotechnology14% (2000 est.)27.381 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)25.464 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs, fish, ornamental fish$137 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment (including electronics), chemicals, mineral fuelsUS 19%, Malaysia 17%, Hong Kong 8%, Japan 7%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 4%, UK 4%, Netherlands 3.8%, China 3%, South Korea 3%, Germany 3% (1999)$127 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffsUS 17%, Japan 17%, Malaysia 16%, Thailand 5%, China 5%, Taiwan 4%, Germany 3%, Saudi Arabia 3% (1999)$9.7 billion (2000)$NASingapore dollar (SGD)SGDSingapore dollars per US dollar - 1.7365 (January 2001), 1.7240 (2000), 1.6950 (1999), 1.6736 (1998), 1.4848 (1997), 1.4100 (1996)1 April - 31 March Singapore Communications1.928 million (November 2000)2.333 million (November 2000) major consideration given to serving business interests; excellent international service excellent domestic facilities submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)AM 0, FM 16, shortwave 2 (1998)2.6 million (2000)6 (2000)1.33 million (1997).sg9 (2000)1.74 million (2000)38.6 km38.6 km 1.000-m gauge note- there is a 83 km mass transit system with 48 stations3,150 km3,066 km (including 150 km of expressways)84 km (2000)noneSingapore879 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,849,168 GRT/33,215,317 DWTbulk 134, cargo 111, chemical tanker 63, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 6, container 167, liquefied gas 28, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 295, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 33 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Australia 1, Bermuda 12, Belgium 6, China 9, Denmark 29, Germany 8, Greece 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 9, Japan 32, South Korea 3, Netherlands 2, Norway 9, Russia 1, Sweden 22, Thailand 22, Taiwan 17, UK 3, US 10 (2000 est.)9 (2000 est.) 9 2 1 4 1 1 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, People s Defense Force, Police Forcemales age 15-49- 1,316,815 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 959,636 (2001 est.)$5 billion (FY00/01 est.)4.5% (FY00/01 est.)international- Pedra Branca Island (Pulau Batu Putih) disputed with Malaysiaas a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to use as a transit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for money launderingSlovakiaIn 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Historic, political, and geographic factors have caused Slovakia to experience more difficulty in developing a modern market economy than some of its Central European neighbors.Central Europe, south of Poland48 40 N, 19 30 EEurope48,845 sq km48,800 sq km45 sq kmabout twice the size of New Hampshiretotal- 1,355 kmAustria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid wintersrugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the southBodrok River 94 mGerlachovsky Stit 2,655 mbrown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land31%3%17%41%8% (1993 est.)800 sq km (1993 est.)NAair pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forestsAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollandlocked5,414,937 (July 2001 est.) 18.86% (male 522,563; female 498,832) 69.6% (male 1,872,496; female 1,896,249) 11.54% (male 236,996; female 387,801) (2001 est.)0.13% (2001 est.)10.05 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.25 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.61 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)8.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.97 years 69.95 years 78.2 years (2001 est.)1.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)400 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Slovak(s)SlovakSlovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.6%, Roma 1.6% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which is about 500,000), Czech, Moravian, Silesian 1.1%, Ruthenian and Ukrainian 0.6%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.2% (1996)Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%Slovak (official), Hungarian NA NA% NA% NA%Slovak RepublicSlovakiaSlovenska RepublikaSlovenskoparliamentary democracyBratislava8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membershipcivil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Rudolf SCHUSTER (since 15 June 1999)Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30 October 1998)Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by direct popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 May 1999 (next to be held NA May/June 2004); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president Rudolf SCHUSTER elected president in the first direct, popular election; percent of vote - Rudolf SCHUSTER 57% note- government coalition - SDK, SDL, SMK, SOP, KDHunicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held 25-26 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2002) percent of vote by party - HZDS 27%, SDK 26.3%, SDL 14.7%, SMK 9.1%, SNS 9.1%, SOP 8%; seats by party - governing coalition 93 (SDK 42, SDL 23, SMK 15, SOP 13), opposition 57 (HZDS 43, SNS 14)Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council)Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Liberal Democratic Union or LDU [Jan BUDAJ]; Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; Party of Civic Understanding or SOP [Pavol HAMZIK]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Jozef MIGAS]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Bela BUGAR]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA]; note - this is DZURINDA s new party for 2002 elections; he remains chairman of a rump and splintering SDK; Slovak Democratic Coalition or SDK (loose parliamentary club grouping representing members of the smaller SSDS, SZS, and those committed to run under SDKU in 2002) [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Anna MALIKOVA]Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Metal Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURGAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Martin BUTORA Suite 250, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; note - new chancery opening in June 2001 at International Court NW, Washington, DC [1] (202) 965-5161 [1] (202) 965-5166 Ambassador Carl SPIELVOGEL Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava use embassy street address [421] (7) 5443-3338 [421] (7) 5443-0096three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue Slovakia EconomySlovakia continues the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The economic slowdown in 1999 stemmed from large budget and current account deficits, fast-growing external debt, and persistent corruption. Even though GDP growth reached only 2.2% in 2000, the year was marked by positive developments such as foreign direct investment of $1.5 billion, strong export performance, restructuring and privatization in the banking sector, entry into the OECD, and initial efforts to stem corruption. Strong challenges face the government in 2001, especially the maintenance of fiscal balance, the further privatization of the economy, and the reduction of unemployment.purchasing power parity - $55.3 billion (2000 est.)2.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $10,200 (2000 est.)4.5%29.3%66.2% (1999 est.)NA%5.1%18.2% (1992)12.2% (2000 est.)3 million (1999)industry 29.3%, agriculture 8.9%, construction 8%, transport and communication 8.2%, services 45.6% (1994)17% (2000 est.)$5.2 billion$5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products9.3% (2000 est.)22.582 billion kWh (1999)37.56%18.27%44.17% 0% (1999)21.471 billion kWh (1999)930 million kWh (1999)1.4 billion kWh (1999)grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products$12 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment 39.4%, intermediate manufactured goods 27.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 13%, chemicals 8% (1999)EU 59.7% (Germany 27.8%, Austria 8%, Italy 8.9%), Czech Republic 18.1% (1999)$12.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment 37.7%, intermediate manufactured goods 18%, fuels 13%, chemicals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999)EU 51.4% (Germany 26%, Italy 7.1%), Czech Republic 16.6%, Russia 11.9% (1999)$10.3 billion (2000 est.)$421.9 million (1995)Slovak koruna (SKK)SKKkoruny per US dollar - 48.09 (March 2001), 46.395 (2000), 41.363 (1999), 35.233 (1998), 33.616 (1997), 30.654 (1996)calendar year Slovakia Communications1,934,558 (1998)736,662 (April 1999) a modernization and privatization program is increasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing the waiting time for new subscribers, and generally improving service quality predominantly an analog system that is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has been added three international exchanges (one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external servicesAM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998)3.12 million (1997)38 (plus 864 repeaters) (1995)2.62 million (1997).sk6 (2000)700,000 (2000)3,660 km broad gauge- 102 km 1.520-m gauge3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1,505 km electrified; 1,011 km double track)51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1998)17,710 km17,533 km (including 288 km of expressways)177 km (1998 est.)172 km (all on the Danube)petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 kmBratislava, Komarno3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,041 GRT/19,517 DWTcargo 3 (2000 est.)35 (2000 est.) 18 1 3 3 3 8 (2000 est.) 17 1 9 7 (2000 est.)Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Civil Defense Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,487,093 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,136,811 (2001 est.)males- 45,502 (2001 est.)$380 million (FY00)1.71% (FY00)international- Gabcikovo/Nagymaros Dam dispute with Hungary is before the ICJtransshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western EuropeSloveniaIn 1918 the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new nation, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though communist, distanced itself from Moscow s rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power of the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy make Slovenia a leading candidate for future membership in the EU and NATO.Southeastern Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia46 00 N, 15 00 EEurope20,253 sq km20,253 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than New Jerseytotal- 1,165 kmAustria 330 km, Croatia 501 km, Italy 232 km, Hungary 102 km46.6 kmNAMediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the easta short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the eastAdriatic Sea 0 mTriglav 2,864 mlignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower12%3%24%54%7% (1996 est.)20 sq km (1993 est.)flooding and earthquakesSava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rainAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol1,930,132 (July 2001 est.) 16.09% (male 159,428; female 151,134) 69.61% (male 681,333; female 662,170) 14.3% (male 101,354; female 174,713) (2001 est.)0.14% (2001 est.)9.32 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.98 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)2.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.58 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.08 years 71.2 years 79.17 years (2001 est.)1.28 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.02% (1999 est.)200 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Slovene(s)SlovenianSlovene 88%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Bosniak 1%, Yugoslav 0.6%, Hungarian 0.4%, other 5% (1991)Roman Catholic 68.8%, Uniate Catholic 2%, Lutheran 1%, Muslim 1%, atheist 4.3%, other 22.9%Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 6%, other 3% NA 99% NA% NA%Republic of SloveniaSloveniaRepublika SlovenijaSlovenijaparliamentary democratic republicLjubljana136 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Bled, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova-Tisina, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik-Trnovska Vas, Divaca, Dobrepolje, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grosuplje, Hodos Salovci, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola, Jesenice, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Koper*, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podvelka-Ribnica, Postojna, Preddvor, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne-Prevalje, Ribnica, Rogasevci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Semic, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Sostanj, Starse, Store, Sveti Jurij, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velike Lasce, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Ziri, Zrece note- there may be 45 more municipalities25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991based on civil law system18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)NAPresident Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990)Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 15 October 2000);Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 November 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 15 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) Milan KUCAN elected president; percent of vote - Milan KUCAN 56.3%, Janez PODOBNIK 18%; Janez DRNOVSEK elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NAunicameral National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats, 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on a proportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) National Assembly - last held 15 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) percent of vote by party - LDS 36%, SDS 16%, ZLSD 12%, SLS/SKD 10%, NSI 9%, SMS 4%, SNS 4%, DeSUS 5%, other 4%; seats by party - LDS 34, SDS 14, ZLDS 11, SLS/SKD 9, NSI 8, SMS 4, SNS 4, DeSUS 4, other 2 note- the National Council or Drzavni Svet is an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws and ask to review any National Assembly decisions; in the election of NA November 1997, 40 members were elected to represent local, professional, and socioeconomic interests (next election to be held in the fall of 2002)Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court (judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and nominated by the president)Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS [Janko KUSAR]; Liberal Democratic or LDS [Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman]; New Slovenia or NSI [Andrej BAJUK, chairman]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC, chairman]; Slovene People s Party or SLS (Slovenian People s Party or SLS and Slovenian Christian Democrats or SKD merged in April 2000) [Franc ZAGOZEN, chairman]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [leader NA]; Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDS [Janez JANSA, chairman]; United List of Social Democrats (former Communists and allies) or ZLSD [Borut PAHOR, chairman]NAABEDA, ACCT (observer), BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Davorin KRACUN 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 667-5363 [1] (202) 667-4563 New York consulate(s)- Cleveland Ambassador Nancy ELY-RAPHEL Presernova 31, SI-1000 Ljubljana P. O. Box 254, Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana; American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7140 [386] (01) 200-5500 [386] (01) 200-5555three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia s highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands Slovenia EconomyAlthough Slovenia enjoys one of the highest GDPs per capita among the transition economies of Central Europe, it needs to speed up the privatization process and the dismantling of restrictions on foreign investment. About 45% of the economy remains in state hands, and the level of foreign direct investment inflows as a percent of GDP is the lowest in the region. Analysts are predicting between 4.0% and 4.2% growth for 2001. Export growth is expected to slow in 2001 and 2002 as EU markets soften. Inflation rose from 6.1% to 8.9% in 2000 and remains a matter of concern.purchasing power parity - $22.9 billion (2000 est.)4.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $12,000 (2000 est.)4%35%61% (1999 est.)NA%3.2%20.7% (1995)8.9% (2000 est.)857,400agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%7.1% (1997 est.)$8.11 billion$8.32 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools6.2% (2000)12.451 billion kWh (1999)34.44%29.58%35.98% 0% (1999)10.024 billion kWh (1999)2.2 billion kWh (1999)645 million kWh (1999)potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry$8.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000)manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodGermany 31%, Italy 14%, Croatia 8%, Austria 7%, France 6% (1999)$9.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, foodGermany 21%, Italy 17%, France 11%, Austria 8%, Croatia 4%, Hungary, Russia (1999)$6.2 billion (2000)ODA, $5 million (1993)tolar (SIT)SITtolars per US dollar - 225.93 (January 2001), 222.66 (2000), 181.77 (1999), 166.13 (1998), 159.69 (1997), 135.36 (1996)calendar year Slovenia Communications722,000 (1997)1 million (2000) NA 100% digital (2000) NAAM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998)805,000 (1997)48 (2001)710,000 (1997).si11 (2000)460,000 (1999)1,201 km1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (489 km electrified) (1999)19,586 km17,745 km (including 249 km of expressways)1,841 km (1998 est.)NAcrude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 kmIzola, Koper, Piran14 (2000 est.) 6 1 1 1 2 1 (2000 est.) 8 2 2 4 (2000 est.)Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)19 years of agemales age 15-49- 523,336 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 416,237 (2001 est.)males- 14,513 (2001 est.)$370 million (FY00)1.7% (FY00)international- progress with Croatia on discussions of adjustments to land boundary, but problems remain in defining maritime boundary in Gulf of Piran; Austria has minor dispute with Slovenia over nuclear power plants and post-World War II treatment of German-speaking minoritiesminor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicalsSolomon IslandsThe UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Current issues include government deficits, deforestation, and malaria control.Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea8 00 S, 159 00 EOceania28,450 sq km27,540 sq km910 sq kmslightly smaller than Maryland0 km5,313 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines200 NM200 NM12 NMtropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weathermostly rugged mountains with some low coral atollsPacific Ocean 0 mMount Makarakomburu 2,447 mfish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel1%1%1%88%9% (1993 est.)NA sq kmtyphoons, but they are rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activitydeforestation; soil erosion; much of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dyingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol480,442 (July 2001 est.) 43.79% (male 107,229; female 103,162) 53.15% (male 129,315; female 126,021) 3.06% (male 7,190; female 7,525) (2001 est.)2.98% (2001 est.)34.05 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.27 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)24.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.55 years 69.12 years 74.1 years (2001 est.)4.65 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASolomon Islander(s)Solomon IslanderMelanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4%Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca, English spoken by 1%-2% of population note- 120 indigenous languages NA NA% NA% NA%noneSolomon IslandsBritish Solomon Islandsparliamentary democracyHoniara7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western; note - there may be two new provinces of Choiseul (Lauru) and Rennell/Bellona and the administrative unit of Honiara may have been abolished7 July 1978 (from UK)Independence Day, 7 July (1978)7 July 1978English common law21 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Father John LAPLI (since NA 1999)Prime Minister Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE (since 1 July 2000); Assistant Prime Minister Nathaniel WAENA (since 1 July 2000); Deputy Prime Minister Allan KEMAKEZA (since 1 July 2000); note - Prime Minister Bartholomew ULUFA ALU was forced to resign his position in June 2000 following the armed takeover of the capital by elements supporting the opposition parties; Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE, who had been opposition leader, was then elected prime minister at a sitting of National Parliament on 30 June 2000Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliamentunicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 6 August 1997 (next to be held by August 2001) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GNUR 21, PAP 7, NAPSI 5, SILP 4, UP 4, independents 6, other 3Court of Appealthere are two main coalitions - Coalition for National Unity, Reconciliation, and Peace or CNURP and Alliance for Change; the CNURP took power on 30 June 2000, it comprises members of the Liberal Party, People s Alliance Party, and the United Party, as well as a number of independents; the Alliance for Change, represents the former government and now is the opposition; in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions; Group for National Unity and Reconciliation or GNUR [leader NA]; Liberal Party [Bartholomew ULUFA ALU]; National Action Party of Solomon Islands or NAPSI [Francis SAEMALA]; People s Alliance Party or PAP [George LEPPING]; People s Progressive Party [Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]; United Party or UP [leader NA]NAACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affaires ad interim Jeremiah MANELE 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193 [1] (212) 661-8925divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green Solomon Islands EconomyThe bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. However, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key business enterprises, and an empty government treasury have led to a continuing economic downslide. Deliveries of crucial fuel supplies (including those for electrical generation) by tankers have become sporadic due to the government s inability to pay and attacks against ships. Telecommunications are threatened by the lack of technical and maintenance staff many of whom have left the country.purchasing power parity - $900 million (2000 est.)1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)50%3.5%46.5% (1995)NA%NA%NA%10% (1999 est.)26,842agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%NA%$147 million$168 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)fish (tuna), mining, timberNA%30 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)27.9 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish$165 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)timber, fish, palm oil, cocoa, copraJapan 35.5%, other Asian countries 47.3% (1999)$152 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)plant and equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals, fuels, chemicalsAustralia 38.5%, Singapore 15%, Japan 10.6%, NZ 6.2% (1999)$152.4 million (1998)$47 million (1999 est.), mainly from Japan, Australia, China, and NZSolomon Islands dollar (SBD)SBDSolomon Islands dollars per US dollar - 5.0968 (November 2000), 5.0864 (2000), 4.8381 (1999), 4.8156 (1998), 3.7169 (1997), 3.5664 (1996)calendar year Solomon Islands Communications8,000 (1997)658 (1997) NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)57,000 (1997)0 (1997)3,000 (1997).sb1 (2000)3,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,360 km34 km1,326 km (includes about 800 km of private plantation roads) (1996 est.)noneAola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)31 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 29 1 10 18 (2000 est.)no regular military forces; Solomon Islands National Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP)$NANA%international- noneSomaliaA SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy followed for nine years. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland which now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of the ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal comprise a neighboring self-declared Republic of Puntland, which has also made strides towards reconstructing legitimate, representative government. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. A Transitional National Government (TNG) was created in October 2000 in Arta, Djibouti which was attended by a broad representation of Somali clans. The TNG has a three-year mandate to create a permanent national Somali government. The TNG does not recognize Somaliland or Puntland as independent republics but so far has been unable to reunite them with the unstable regions in the south; numerous warlords and factions are still fighting for control of Mogadishu and the other southern regions.Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia10 00 N, 49 00 EAfrica637,657 sq km627,337 sq km10,320 sq kmslightly smaller than Texastotal- 2,366 kmDjibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km3,025 km200 NMprincipally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoonsmostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in northIndian Ocean 0 mShimbiris 2,416 muranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt2%0%69%26%3% (1993 est.)1,800 sq km (1993 est.)recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy seasonfamine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationEndangered Species, Law of the SeaMarine Dumping, Nuclear Test Banstrategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal7,488,773 note- this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2001 est.) 44.54% (male 1,670,320; female 1,665,329) 52.69% (male 1,993,750; female 1,952,437) 2.77% (male 91,511; female 115,426) (2001 est.)3.48% (2001 est.)47.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)18.35 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)123.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 46.6 years 44.99 years 48.25 years (2001 est.)7.11 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASomali(s)SomaliSomali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000Sunni MuslimSomali (official), Arabic, Italian, English age 15 and over can read and write 24% 36% 14% (1990 est.)noneSomaliaSomali Republic, Somali Democratic RepublicparliamentaryMogadishu18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960)25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note- the Transitional National Government formed in October 2000 has a mandate to create a new constitution and hold elections within three yearsNA18 years of age; universalABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan (since 26 August 2000); note - Interim President ABDIKASSIM was chosen for a three-year term by a 245-member National Assembly serving as a transitional government; the present political situation is still unstable, particularly in the south, with interclan fighting and random banditryALI Khalifa Galaydh, appointed by the president 8 October 2000 ABDIKASSIM Salad Hassan was elected president of an interim government at the Djibouti-sponsored Arta Peace Conference on 26 August 2000 by a broad representation of Somali clans that comprised a transitional National Assembly.unicameral People s Assembly or Golaha Shacbiga note- fledgling parliament; a transitional 245-member National Assembly began to meet on 13 August 2000 in the town of Arta, Djibouti and is now based in Mogadishufollowing the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic (Shari a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentencesnonenumerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for powerACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) [254] (2) 334141; FAX [254] (2) 340838light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust territory) Government - note- An interim Transitional National Government - with a president, prime minister, and 245-member National Assembly - was formed in October 2000. However, other governing bodies continue to exist and control various cities and regions of the country, including Somaliland, Puntland, and traditional clan and faction strongholds. Somalia EconomyOne of the world s poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock and bananas are the principal exports; sugar, sorghum, corn, fish, and qat are products for the domestic market. The small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, accounts for 10% of GDP; most facilities have been shut down because of the civil strife. Moreover, ongoing civil disturbances in Mogadishu and outlying areas have interfered with any substantial economic advance and with international aid arrangements. Due to the civil strife, economic data is susceptible to an exceptionally wide margin of error.purchasing power parity - $4.3 billion (2000 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $600 (2000 est.)60%10% (largely shut down in 2000)30% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%over 100% (businesses print their own money) (2000 est.)3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers) (1993 est.)agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29%NA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAa few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down), wireless communicationNA%260 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)241.8 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish$186 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)livestock, bananas, hides, fish (1999)Saudi Arabia 53%, Yemen 19%, UAE 14%, Italy 5%, Pakistan 2% (1999)$314 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials (1995)Djibouti 24%, Kenya 14%, Brazil 13%, Saudi Arabia 10%, India 9% (1999)$2.6 billion (1999 est.)$191.5 million (1995)Somali shilling (SOS)SOSSomali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620 (January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995), 2,616 (1 July 1993) note- the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shillingNA Somalia CommunicationsNANA the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend on their own private systems recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers international connections are available from Mogadishu by satelliteAM 0, FM 0, shortwave 4 (1988)470,000 (1997)1 (1997)135,000 (1997).so1 (2000)200 (2000) Railways- 0 km22,100 km2,608 km19,492 km (1996)nonecrude oil 15 kmBender Cassim (Boosaaso), Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)62 (2000 est.) 5 4 1 (2000 est.) 57 4 13 29 11 (2000 est.)A Somali National Army is being reformed under the interim government; numerous factions and clans maintain independent militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland regional governments maintain their own security and police forcesmales age 15-49- 1,825,302 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,011,400 (2001 est.)$NANA%international- most of the southern half of the boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the OgadenSouth AfricaAfter the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa29 00 S, 24 00 EAfrica1,219,912 sq km1,219,912 sq km0 sq km note- includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island)slightly less than twice the size of Texastotal- 4,750 kmBotswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 855 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km2,798 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMmostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nightsvast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plainAtlantic Ocean 0 mNjesuthi 3,408 mgold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas10%1%67%7%15% (1993 est.)12,700 sq km (1993 est.)prolonged droughtslack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage threatens to outpace supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertificationAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingnone of the selected agreementsSouth Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland43,586,097 note- South Africa took a census October 1996 which showed a population of 40,583,611 (after an official adjustment for a 6.8% underenumeration based on a postenumeration survey); 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 32.01% (male 7,023,639; female 6,928,559) 63.11% (male 13,264,654; female 14,244,484) 4.88% (male 798,914; female 1,325,847) (2001 est.)0.26% (2001 est.)21.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)16.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)60.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 48.09 years 47.64 years 48.56 years (2001 est.)2.43 children born/woman (2001 est.)19.94% (1999 est.)4.2 million (1999 est.)250,000 (1999 est.)South African(s)South Africanblack 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6%Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 60% of blacks and about 40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (60% of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5%11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu age 15 and over can read and write 81.8% 81.9% 81.7% (1995 est.)Republic of South AfricaSouth AfricaUnion of South Africa abbreviation- RSArepublicPretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center and Bloemfontein the judicial center9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape, Northern Province, Western Cape31 May 1910 (from UK)Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3 February 1997; it is being implemented in phasesbased on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 2 June 1999 (next scheduled for sometime between May and July 2004) Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation) note- ANC-IFP governing coalitionbicameral parliament consisting of the National Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) and the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities); note - following the implementation of the new constitution on 3 February 1997 the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership and party affiliations, although the new institution s responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new constitution National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held 2 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 66.4%, DP 9.6%, IFP 8.6%, NP 6.9%, UDM 3.4%, ACDP 1.4%, FF 0.8%, other 2.9%; seats by party - ANC 266, DP 38, IFP 34, NP 28, UDM 14, ACDP 6, FF 3, other 11; National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ANC 61, NP 17, FF 4, IFP 5, DP 3Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate CourtsAfrican Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE, president]; African National Congress or ANC [Thabo MBEKI, president]; Democratic Alliance (formed from the merger of the Democratic Party or DP and the New National Party or NP) [Anthony LEON, leader]; Freedom Front or FF [Constand VILJOEN, president]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president]; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Stanley MOGOBA, president]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA]Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national president]; note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANCACP, AfDB, BIS, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, NSG, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Makate Sheila SISULU 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-4400 [1] (202) 265-1607 Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador Delano E. LEWIS, Sr. 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 [27] (12) 342-1048 [27] (12) 342-2244 Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburgtwo equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes note- prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which had three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags were a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side South Africa EconomySouth Africa is a middle-income, developing country with an abundant supply of resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors, a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. However, growth has not been strong enough to cut into the 30% unemployment, and daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era, especially the problems of poverty and lack of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups. Other problems are crime, corruption, and HIV/AIDS. At the start of 2000, President MBEKI vowed to promote economic growth and foreign investment, and to reduce poverty by relaxing restrictive labor laws, stepping up the pace of privatization, and cutting unneeded governmental spending.purchasing power parity - $369 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $8,500 (2000 est.)5%30%65% (1999 est.)50% (2000 est.)1.1%45.9% (1994)5.3% (2000 est.)17 million economically active (2000)agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.)30% (2000 est.)$31.1 billion$34.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (FY01/02)mining (world s largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs2.4% (2000 est.)186.903 billion kWh (1999)92.74%0.39%6.87% 0% (1999)172.393 billion kWh (1999)3.884 billion kWh (1999)2.457 billion kWh (1999)corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products$30.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)gold, diamonds, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipmentUK, Italy, Japan, US, Germany$27.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, foodstuffs and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instrumentsGermany, US, UK, Japan$25.6 billion (2000 est.)$676.3 millionrand (ZAR)ZARrand per US dollar - 7.60 (March 2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996)1 April - 31 March South Africa Communications5.075 million (1999)over 2,000,000 (1999) the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean)AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)13.75 million (1997)556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997)5.2 million (1997).za44 (2000)1.82 million (2000)21,431 km20,995 km 1.067-m gauge (9,087 km electrified); 436 km 0.610-m gauge (1995)358,596 km59,753 km (including 1927 km of expressways)298,843 km (1996)NAcrude oil 931 km; petroleum products 1,748 km; natural gas 322 kmCape Town, Durban, East London, Mosselbaai, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 271,650 GRT/268,604 DWTcontainer 6, petroleum tanker 2 (2000 est.)741 (2000 est.) 142 9 5 47 71 10 (2000 est.) 599 33 304 262 (2000 est.)South African National Defense Force or SANDF (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Services), South African Police Service or SAPS18 years of agemales age 15-49- 11,469,812 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 6,977,328 (2001 est.)males- 466,399 (2001 est.)$2 billion (FY00/01)1.5% (FY99/00) Military - note- the National Defense Force continues to integrate former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forcesinternational- Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdomtransshipment center for heroin, hashish, marijuana, and possibly cocaine; cocaine consumption on the rise; world s largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries; illicit cultivation of marijuanaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsThe islands lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. The famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses a small military garrison. The islands have large bird and seal populations and, recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 miles to 200 miles around each island.Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America54 30 S, 37 00 WAntarctic Region3,903 sq km3,903 sq km0 sq km note- includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of some nine islandsslightly larger than Rhode Island0 kmNA kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMvariable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snowmost of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoesAtlantic Ocean 0 mMount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 mfish0%0%0%0%100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen)0 sq km (1993)the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanismNAthe north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in this century, live on South Georgiano indigenous inhabitants note- the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001, to be replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey which also has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited (July 2001 est.)South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islandsnoneoverseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by UK civil commissioner Donald A. LAMONT, representing Queen ELIZABETH II; Grytviken, formerly a whaling station on South Georgia, is the garrison townLiberation Day, 14 June (1982)adopted 3 October 1985the laws of the UK, where applicable, applyexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMthe flag of the UK is used South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands EconomySome fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting fin fish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK.$291,777$451,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988 est.)NA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWh South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Communications NA NA coastal radiotelephone station at Grytvikennone0 (1997).gsnoneGrytvikennone Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- claimed by ArgentinaSouthern OceanA decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 delimited a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - from the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world s five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean).body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica65 00 S, 0 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean has the unique distinction of being a large circumpolar body of water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica, and encompasses 360 degrees of longitudeAntarctic Region20.327 million sq km note- includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodiesslightly more than twice the size of the US17,968 kmsea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winterthe Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 meters over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep - its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 meters (the global mean is 133 meters); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million square kilometers in March to about 18.8 million square kilometers in September, better than a sixfold increase in area; the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves perpetually eastward; it is the world s largest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world s rivers-7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trenchsea level 0 mprobable large and possible giant oil and gas fields on the continental margin, manganese nodules, possible placer deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs, squid, whales, and seals - none exploited; krill, fishesultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish note- the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries Environment - international agreements- the Southern Ocean is subject to all international agreements regarding the world s oceans; in addition, it is subject to these agreements specific to the Antarctic region- International Whaling Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees south [south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (regulates fishing) note- many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) which is in the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the very cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the northhuge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescueincreased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish note- the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuriesthe major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the very cold polar surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds Southern Ocean EconomyFisheries in 1998-99 (1 July to 30 June) landed 119,898 metric tons, of which 85% was krill and 14% Patagonian toothfish. International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 1998-99 season landed five to six times more Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery. In the 1999-2000 antarctic summer 13,193 tourists, most of them seaborne, visited the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, compared to 10,013 the previous year. Nearly 16,000 tourists are expected during the 2000-01 season.McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica note- few ports or harbors exist on the southern side of the Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most of them to short periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without icebreaker escort; most antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels; vessels in any port south of 60 degrees south are subject to inspection by Antarctic Treaty observers Transportation - note- Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canalinternational- Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in the Antarctica entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize the maritime claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees westSpainSouthwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France40 00 N, 4 00 WEurope504,782 sq km499,542 sq km5,240 sq km note- includes Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - Ceuta, Melilla, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomeraslightly more than twice the size of Oregontotal- 1,917.8 kmAndorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km4,964 km24 NM200 NM (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)12 NMtemperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coastlarge, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in northAtlantic Ocean 0 mPico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 mcoal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land30%9%21%32%8% (1993 est.)34,530 sq km (1993 est.)periodic droughtspollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertificationAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertificationstrategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar40,037,995 (July 2001 est.) 14.62% (male 3,015,851; female 2,835,763) 68.2% (male 13,701,065; female 13,605,314) 17.18% (male 2,881,334; female 3,998,668) (2001 est.)0.1% (2001 est.)9.26 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.13 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.93 years 75.47 years 82.62 years (2001 est.)1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.58% (1999 est.)120,000 (1999 est.)2,000 (1999 est.)Spaniard(s)Spanishcomposite of Mediterranean and Nordic typesRoman Catholic 99%, other 1%Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% age 15 and over can read and write 97% NA% NA%Kingdom of SpainSpainEspanaparliamentary monarchyMadrid17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencian, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country) note- there are five places of sovereignty on and off the coast of Morocco- Ceuta and Melilla are administered as autonomous communities; Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera are under direct Spanish administration1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification)Hispanic Day, 12 October6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978civil law system, with regional applications; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalKing JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968President of the Government Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (since 5 May 1996); First Vice President Juan Jose LUCAS (since 28 February 2000) and Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy) Rodrigo RATO Figaredo (since 5 May 1996)Council of Ministers designated by the president note- there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government the monarch is hereditary; president proposed by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly following legislative elections; election last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on proposal of the president Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (PP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 44%bicameral; General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (259 seats - 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 51 appointed by the regional legislatures to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; members are elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); Congress of Deputies - last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PP 127, PSOE 61, CiU 8, PNV 6, CC 5, PIL 1; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PP 44.5%, PSOE 34%, CiU 4.2%, IU 5.4%, PNV 1.5%, CC 1%, BNG 1.3%; seats by party - PP 183, PSOE 125, CiU 15, IU 8, PNV 7, CC 4, BNG 3, other 5Supreme Court or Tribunal SupremoBasque Nationalist Party or PNV [Xabier ARZALLUS Antia]; Canarian Coalition or CC (a coalition of five parties) [Paulino RIVERO]; Convergence and Union or CiU [Jordi PUJOL i Soley, secretary general] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Jordi PUJOL i Soley] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN y LLEIDA]); Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Xose Manuel BEIRAS]; Party of Independents from Lanzarote or PIL [Dimas MARTIN Martin]; Popular Party or PP [Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO]; United Left or IU (a coalition of parties including the PCE and other small parties) [Gaspar LLAMAZARES]business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; Euskal Herritarok or EH [Herri BATASUNA]; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); on the extreme left, the Basque Fatherland and Liberty or ETA and the First of October Antifascist Resistance Group or GRAPO use terrorism to oppose the government; Opus Dei; Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO; university students; Workers Confederation or CC.OOAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Francisco Javier RUPEREZ 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340 [1] (202) 833-5670 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Ambassador Edward L. ROMERO Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid APO AE 09642 [34] (91) 587-2200 [34] (91) 587-2303 Barcelonathree horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar Spain EconomySpain s mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is 80% that of the four leading West European economies. Its center-right government successfully worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching the European single currency on 1 January 1999. The AZNAR administration has continued to advocate liberalization, privatization, and deregulation of the economy and has introduced some tax reforms to that end. Unemployment has been steadily falling under the AZNAR administration but remains the highest in the EU at 14%. The government intends to make further progress in changing labor laws and reforming pension schemes, which are key to the sustainability of both Spain s internal economic advances and its competitiveness in a single currency area. Adjusting to the monetary and other economic policies of an integrated Europe - and further reducing unemployment - will pose challenges to Spain in the next few years.purchasing power parity - $720.8 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $18,000 (2000 est.)4%31%65% (1999)NA%2.8%25.2% (1990)3.4% (2000 est.)17 million (2000)services 64%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 28%, agriculture 8% (1997 est.)14% (2000 est.)$105 billion$109 billion, including capital expenditures of $12.8 billion (2000 est.)textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism4.5% (2000 est.)197.694 billion kWh (1999)57.71%12.1%28.28% 1.91% (1999)189.57 billion kWh (1999)6.23 billion kWh (1999)11.945 billion kWh (1999)grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish$120.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, other consumer goodsEU 71% (France 20%, Germany 12%, Italy 9%, Portugal 9%, UK 8%), Latin America 6%, US 5% (2000)$153.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods; foodstuffs, consumer goods (1997)EU 68% (France 18%, Germany 16%, Italy 9%, UK 7%, Benelux 8%), US 8%, OPEC 5%, Latin America 4%, Japan 3% (1999)$90 billion (1993 est.) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.3 billion (1995)Spanish peseta (ESP); euro (EUR) note- on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Spain at a fixed rate of 166.386 Spanish pesetas per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002ESP; EUReuros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); pesetas per US dollar - 149.40 (1998), 146.41 (1997), 126.66 (1996)calendar year Spain Communications17.336 million (1999)8.394 million (1999) generally adequate, modern facilities; teledensity is 44 main lines for each 100 persons NA 22 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countriesAM 208, FM 715, shortwave 1 (1998)13.1 million (1997)224 (plus 2,105 repeaters) note- these figures include 11 television broadcast stations and 88 repeaters in the Canary Islands (1995)16.2 million (1997).es56 (2000)4.6 million (2000)13,950 km broad gauge- 12,781 km 1.668-m gauge (6,358 km electrified; 2,295 km double track)525 km 1.435-m gauge (525 km electrified)644 km 1.000-m gauge (438 km electrified) (1998)346,858 km343,389 km (including 9,063 km of expressways)3,469 km (1997)1,045 km (of minor economic importance)crude oil 265 km; petroleum products 1,794 km; natural gas 1,666 kmAviles, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena, Castellon de la Plana, Ceuta, Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary Islands), Malaga, Melilla, Pasajes, Gijon, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Santander, Tarragona, Valencia, Vigo135 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,208,730 GRT/1,773,378 DWTbulk 10, cargo 26, chemical tanker 10, container 9, liquefied gas 2, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 35, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 3 (2000 est.)110 (2000 est.) 75 15 10 18 19 13 (2000 est.) 35 1 9 25 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National Police, Coastal Civil Guard20 years of agemales age 15-49- 10,551,945 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 8,448,150 (2001 est.)males- 281,043 (2001 est.)$6 billion (FY97)1.1% (FY97)international- Gibraltar issue with UK; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinaskey European gateway country for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroinSpratly IslandsRich fishing grounds and the potential for gas and oil deposits have caused this archipelago to be claimed in its entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. All five parties have occupied certain islands or reefs, and occasional clashes have occurred between Chinese and Vietnamese naval forcesSoutheastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines8 38 N, 111 55 ESoutheast Asialess than 5 sq kmless than 5 sq km0 sq km note- includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China SeaNA0 km926 kmNAtropicalflatSouth China Sea 0 munnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 mfish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1993)typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoalsNAstrategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefsno indigenous inhabitants note- there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states (July 2001 est.)noneSpratly Islands Spratly Islands EconomyNAEconomic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.nonenone; offshore anchorage only4 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.) Military - note- Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs, of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnaminternational- all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the island; in 2000, China joined ASEAN discussions towards creating a South China Sea "code of conduct" - a non-legally binding confidence building measureSri LankaOccupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1802. As Ceylon it became independent in 1948; its name was changed in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted in violence in the mid-1980s. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic war that continues to fester.Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India7 00 N, 81 00 EAsia65,610 sq km64,740 sq km870 sq kmslightly larger than West Virginia0 km1,340 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interiorIndian Ocean 0 mPidurutalagala 2,524 mlimestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower14%15%7%32%32% (1993 est.)5,500 sq km (1993 est.)occasional cyclones and tornadoesdeforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in ColomboBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsMarine Life Conservationstrategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes19,408,635 (July 2001 est.) note- since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island; as of mid-1999, approximately 66,000 were housed in 133 refugee camps in south India, another 40,000 lived outside the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West 25.99% (male 2,578,618; female 2,464,928) 67.39% (male 6,369,881; female 6,708,852) 6.62% (male 615,253; female 671,103) (2001 est.)0.87% (2001 est.)16.58 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)16.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 72.09 years 69.58 years 74.73 years (2001 est.)1.95 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.07% (1999 est.)7,500 (1999 est.)490 (1999 est.)Sri Lankan(s)Sri LankanSinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1%Buddhist 70%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 7% (1999)Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note- English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population age 15 and over can read and write 90.2% 93.4% 87.2% (1995 est.)Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri LankaSri LankaSerendib, CeylonrepublicColombo; note - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western; note - North Eastern province may have been divided in two - Northern and Eastern4 February 1948 (from UK)Independence Day, 4 February (1948)adopted 16 August 1978a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Ratnasiri WICKRAMANAYAKE (since 10 August 2000) is the prime minister; in Sri Lanka the president is considered to be both the chief of state and the head of the government, this is in contrast to the more common practice of dividing the roles between the president and the prime minister when both offices existPresident Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Ratnasiri WICKRAMANAYAKE (since 10 August 2000) is the prime minister; in Sri Lanka the president is considered to be both the chief of state and the head of the government, this is in contrast to the more common practice of dividing the roles between the president and the prime minister when both offices existCabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2005) Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (PA) 51%, Ranil WICKREMASINGHE (UNP) 42%, other 7%unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of a modified proportional representation system by district to serve six-year terms) last held 10 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2006) percent of vote by party - PA 45.11%, UNP 40.22%, JVP 6%, NUA 2.29%, SU 1.48%, TULF 1.23%, other 3.67%; seats by party - PA 107, UNP 89, JVP 10, TULF 5, EPDP 4, NUA 4, TELO 3, ACTC 1, SU 1, independent 1Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the presidentAll Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [Nalliah GURUPAUAN]; Ceylon Workers Congress or CLDC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party [Raja COLLURE]; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front or DUNLF [Srimani ATHULATHMUDALI]; Eelam People s Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People s Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRA]; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Tilvan SILVA]; National Unity Alliance or NUA [leader NA]; People s Alliance or PA [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; People s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [D. SIDDATHAN]; Sihala Urumaya or SU [leader NA]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM and Ferial ASHRAFF]; Sri Lanka Progressive Front or SLPF [leader NA]; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [SUBRAMANIUM]; Tamil United Liberation Front or TULF [R. SAMPATHAN]; United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Upcountry People s Front or UPF [P. CHANDRASEKARAN]; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties, represented in either parliament or provincial councilsBuddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE (insurgent group fighting for a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groupsAsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Warnasena RASAPUTRAM 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4025 (through 4028) [1] (202) 232-7181 Los Angeles consulate(s)- New York Ambassador E. Ashley WILLS 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 P. O. Box 106, Colombo [94] (1) 448007 [94] (1) 437345yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border that goes around the entire flag and extends between the two panels Sri Lanka EconomyIn 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for market-oriented policies and export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka s most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. By 1996 plantation crops made up only 20% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an annual average rate of 5.5% throughout the 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997-98 with growth of 6.4% and 4.7% - but slowed to 4.3% in 1999. Growth increased to 5.6% in 2000, with growth in tourism and exports leading the way. But a resurgence of civil war between the Sinhalese and the minority Tamils and a possible slowdown in tourism dampen prospects for 2001. For the next round of reforms, the central bank of Sri Lanka recommends that Colombo expand market mechanisms in nonplantation agriculture, dismantle the government s monopoly on wheat imports, and promote more competition in the financial sector.purchasing power parity - $62.7 billion (2000 est.)5.6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,250 (2000 est.)21%19%60% (1998)22% (1997 est.)1.8%39.7% (1995-96 est.)8.5% (2000 est.)6.6 million (1998)services 45%, agriculture 38%, industry 17% (1998 est.)8.8% (1999 est.)$3 billion$3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco4% (1999)6.026 billion kWh (1999)29.9%70.1%0% 0% (1999)5.604 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef$5.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)textiles and apparel, tea, diamonds, coconut products, petroleum productsUS 39%, UK 13%, Middle East 8%, Germany 5%, Japan 4% (1999)$6.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, textiles, petroleum, foodstuffsJapan 10%, India 9%, Hong Kong 8%, Singapore 8%, South Korea 6% (1999)$9.9 billion (2000)$577 million (1998)Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)LKRSri Lankan rupees per US dollar - 83.506 (January 2001), 77.005 (2000), 70.635 (1999), 64.450 (1998), 58.995 (1997), 55.271 (1996)calendar year Sri Lanka Communications494,509 (1998)228,604 (1999) very inadequate domestic service, particularly in rural areas; some hope for improvement with privatization of national telephone company and encouragement to private investment; good international service (1999) national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and two fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems; telephone density remains low at 2.6 main lines per 100 persons (1999) submarine cables to Indonesia and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (1999)AM 26, FM 45, shortwave 1 (1998)3.85 million (1997)21 (1997)1.53 million (1997).lk5 (2000)65,000 (2000)1,463 km broad gauge- 1,404 km 1.676-m gauge59 km 0.762-m gauge (1996)11,285 km10,721 km564 km (1998 est.)430 km (navigable by shallow-draft craft)crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987)Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 149,902 GRT/247,852 DWTbulk 1, cargo 16, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2000 est.)14 (2000 est.) 12 1 5 6 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force18 years of agemales age 15-49- 5,304,323 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 4,119,511 (2001 est.)males- 193,522 (2001 est.)$719 million (FY98)4.2% (FY98)international- noneSudanMilitary dictatorships promulgating an Islamic government have mostly run the country since independence from the UK in 1956. Over the past two decades, a civil war pitting black Christians and animists in the south against the Arab-Muslims of the north has cost at least 1.5 million lives in war- and famine-related deaths, as well as the displacement of millions of others.Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea15 00 N, 30 00 EAfrica2,505,810 sq km2.376 million sq km129,810 sq kmslightly more than one-quarter the size of the UStotal- 7,687 kmCentral African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km853 km18 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation12 NMtropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season (April to October)generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in east and westRed Sea 0 mKinyeti 3,187 mpetroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower5%0%46%19%30% (1993 est.)19,460 sq km (1993 est.)dust stormsinadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementslargest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries36,080,373 (July 2001 est.) 44.62% (male 8,227,011; female 7,870,783) 53.29% (male 9,619,218; female 9,608,469) 2.09% (male 425,898; female 328,994) (2001 est.)2.79% (2001 est.)37.89 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.04 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.29 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)68.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 56.94 years 55.85 years 58.08 years (2001 est.)5.35 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.99% (1999 est.)NANASudanese (singular and plural)Sudaneseblack 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English note- program of "Arabization" in process age 15 and over can read and write 46.1% 57.7% 34.6% (1995 est.)Republic of the SudanSudanJumhuriyat as-SudanAs-SudanAnglo-Egyptian Sudantransitional - ruling military junta took power in 1989; government is dominated by members of Sudan s National Islamic Front (NIF), a fundamentalist political organization, which uses the National Congress Party (NCP) as its legal frontKhartoum26 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A ali an Nil, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrat, Al Jazirah, Al Khartum, Al Qadarif, Al Wahdah, An Nil al Abyad, An Nil al Azraq, Ash Shamaliyah, Bahr al Jabal, Gharb al Istiwa iyah, Gharb Bahr al Ghazal, Gharb Darfur, Gharb Kurdufan, Janub Darfur, Janub Kurdufan, Junqali, Kassala, Nahr an Nil, Shamal Bahr al Ghazal, Shamal Darfur, Shamal Kurdufan, Sharq al Istiwa iyah, Sinnar, Warab1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)Independence Day, 1 January (1956)12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June 1989; new constitution implemented on 30 June 1998 partially suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIRbased on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of the northern states regardless of their religion; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations17 years of age; universal, but noncompulsoryPresident Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party (front for the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates BASHIR s cabinet president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received less than a combined 4% of the vote note- BASHIR assumed supreme executive power in 1989 and retained it through several transitional governments in the early and mid-90s before being popularly elected for the first time in March 1996unicameral National Assembly (400 seats; 275 elected by popular vote, 125 elected by a supra assembly of interest groups known as the National Congress) last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA) NA; few parties participated in the 2000 elections note- on 12 December 1999, BASHIR dismissed the National Assembly during an internal power struggle between the president and speaker of the National Assembly Hasan al-TURABISupreme Court; Special Revolutionary Courtsthe government allows political "associations" under a 1998 law revised in 2000; to obtain government approval parties must accept the constitution and refrain from advocating or using violence against the regime; approved parties include the National Congress Party or NCP [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR], Popular National Congress [Hassan al-TURABI], and a handful of minor pro-government partiesNational Congress Party [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR] (front for the National Islamic Front or NIF); Popular National Congress [Hassan al-TURABI]; Umma [Sadiq al-MAHDI]; Democratic Unionist Party [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI]; National Democratic Alliance [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI, chairman]; Sudan People s Liberation Army [Dr. John GARANG]ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Mahdi Ibrahim MAHAMMAD (recalled to Khartoum in August 1998) 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 338-8565 [1] (202) 667-2406three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side Sudan EconomySudan is buffeted by civil war, chronic instability, adverse weather, weak world agricultural prices, a drop in remittances from abroad, and counterproductive economic policies. The private sector s main areas of activity are agriculture (which employs 80% of the work force), trading, and light industry which is mostly processing of agricultural goods. Most of the 1990s were characterized by sluggish economic growth as the IMF suspended lending, declared Sudan a non-cooperative state, and threatened to expel Sudan from the IMF. Starting in 1997, Sudan began implementing IMF macroeconomic reforms which have successfully stabilized inflation at 10% or less. Sudan continues to have limited international credit resources as over 75% of Sudan s debt of $24.9 billion is in arrears and Khartoum s continued prosecution of the civil war works to isolate Sudan. In 1999, Sudan began exporting oil and in 1999-2000 had recorded its first trade surpluses. Current oil production stands at 185,000 barrels per day, of which about 70% is exported and the rest refined for domestic consumption. Despite its many infrastructure problems, Sudan s increased oil production, the return of regular rainfall, and recent investments in irrigation schemes should allow the country to achieve economic growth of 6% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $35.7 billion (2000 est.)7% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)39%17%44% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%10% (2000 est.)11 million (1996 est.)agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 10%, government 6%, unemployed 4% (1996 est.)4% (1996 est.)$1.2 billion$1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments5% (1996 est.)1.76 billion kWh (1999)42.05%57.95%0% 0% (1999)1.637 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassara, mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock$1.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)oil and petroleum products, cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugarSaudi Arabia 16%, Italy 10%, Germany 5%, France 3%, Thailand 3% (1999)$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)foodstuffs, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textilesChina 14.7%, Libya 14.7%, Saudi Arabia 8.9%, UK 8.7%, France 6.7% (1999)$24.9 billion (2000 est.)$187 million (1997)Sudanese dinar (SDD)SDDSudanese dinars per US dollar - 257.44 (January 2001), 257.12 (2000), 252.55 (1999), 200.80 (1998), 157.57 (1997), 125.08 (1996)calendar year Sudan Communications400,000 (2000)20,000 (2000) large, well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially consists of microwave radio relay, cable, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2000)AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)7.55 million (1997)3 (1997)2.38 million (1997).sd1 (2000)10,000 (2000)5,311 km4,595 km 1.067-m gauge; 716 km 1.6096-m gauge plantation line note- the main line linking Khartoum to Port Sudan carries over two-thirds of Sudan s rail traffic11,900 km4,320 km7,580 km (1996)5,310 kmrefined products 815 kmJuba, Khartoum, Kusti, Malakal, Nimule, Port Sudan, Sawakin4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 38,093 GRT/49,727 DWTcargo 2, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)61 (2000 est.) 12 1 8 3 (2000 est.) 49 15 25 9 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Popular Defense Force Militia18 years of agemales age 15-49- 8,436,732 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 5,194,862 (2001 est.)males- 398,294 (2001 est.)$550 million (FY98)NA%international- administrative boundary with Kenya does not coincide with international boundary; Egypt asserts its claim to the "Hala ib Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km under partial Sudanese administration that is defined by an administrative boundary which supersedes the treaty boundary of 1899SurinameIndependence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally brought about a democratic election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically elected government returned to power in 1991.Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana4 00 N, 56 00 WSouth America163,270 sq km161,470 sq km1,800 sq kmslightly larger than Georgiatotal- 1,707 kmBrazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km386 km200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by trade windsmostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swampsunnamed location in the coastal plain -2 mJuliana Top 1,230 mtimber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore0%0%0%96%4% (1993 est.) note- there are 94,927 hectares of arable land, 7,195 hectares of permanent crops, and 15,000 hectares of permanent pastures600 sq km (1993 est.)NAdeforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activitiesBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreementsmostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, most of which lives along the coast433,998 (July 2001 est.) 31.62% (male 70,314; female 66,924) 62.71% (male 138,969; female 133,193) 5.67% (male 11,194; female 13,404) (2001 est.)0.6% (2001 est.)20.53 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-8.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)24.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.63 years 68.97 years 74.42 years (2001 est.)2.47 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.26% (1999 est.)3,000 (1999 est.)210 (1999 est.)Surinamer(s)SurinameseHindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese age 15 and over can read and write 93% 95% 91% (1995 est.)Republic of SurinameSurinameRepubliek SurinameSurinameNetherlands Guiana, Dutch Guianaconstitutional democracyParamaribo10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)Independence Day, 25 November (1975)ratified 30 September 1987based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory18 years of age; universalPresident Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority vote in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People s Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) note- widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the calling of elections a year early Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president; percent of legislative vote - 72.5; National Assembly elected the president - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votesunicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NF 33, MC 10, DNP 2000 3, DA 91 2, PVF 2, PALU 1 note- widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the calling of elections a year earlyCourt of Justice (justices are nominated for life)Democratic Alternative 91 or DA 91 (a coalition of the Alternative Forum or AF and Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP, formed in January 1991) [S. RAMKHELAWAN]; Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP 2000 (coalition of two parties, Democratic Party and Democrats of the 21st Century) [Jules WIJDENBOSCH]; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative or OPDA [Joginder RAMKHILAWAN]; Millennium Combination or MC (a coalition of three parties, Democratic Alternative, Party for National Unity and Solidarity, and National Democratic Party) [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; Naya Kadam or NK [leader NA]; Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN]; Party of National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]; Pertjaja Luhur [Paul SOMOHARDJO]; Progressive Workers and Farm Laborers Union or PALU [Ir Iwan KROLIS]; The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties Suriname National Party or NPS, Progressive Reform Party or VHP, Suriname Labor Party or SPA, and Pertjaja Luhur) [Ronald R. VENETIAAN]; The Progressive Development Alliance (a combination of three parties, Renewed Progressive Party or HPP, Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF, and Suriname Progressive People s Party or PSV) [Harry KISOENSINGH]General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement [Leendert ADAMS]; Tucayana Amazonica [Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO]; Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi AFONGPONG]ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant) Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 244-7488 [1] (202) 244-5878 Miami Ambassador Daniel A. JOHNSON Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 [597] 472900 [597] 420800five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band Suriname EconomyThe economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. After assuming power in the fall of 1996, the WIJDENBOSCH government ended the structural adjustment program of the previous government, claiming it was unfair to the poorer elements of society. Tax revenues fell as old taxes lapsed and the government failed to implement new tax alternatives. By the end of 1997, the allocation of new Dutch development funds was frozen as Surinamese Government relations with the Netherlands deteriorated. Economic growth slowed in 1998, with decline in the mining, construction, and utility sectors. Rampant government expenditures, poor tax collection, a bloated civil service, and reduced foreign aid in 1999 contributed to the fiscal deficit, estimated at 11% of GDP. The government sought to cover this deficit through monetary expansion, which led to a dramatic increase in inflation and exchange rate depreciation. Suriname s economic prospects for the medium term will depend on renewed commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The new government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending. the exchange rate has responded by stabilizing. The Dutch Government has restarted the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing.purchasing power parity - $1.48 billion (1999 est.)-1% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,400 (1999 est.)13%22%65% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%78% (2000 est.)100,000agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%20% (1997)$393 million$403 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.)bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, lumbering, food processing, fishing6.5% (1994 est.)1.937 billion kWh (1999)25.92%74.08%0% 0% (1999)1.801 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp$443 million (f.o.b., 1999)alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananasUS 23%, Norway 19%, Netherlands 11%, France, Japan, UK (1999)$525 million (f.o.b., 1999)capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goodsUS 35%, Netherlands 15%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, Japan, UK, Brazil (1999)$512 million (2000 est.)Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998)Surinamese guilder (SRG)SRGSurinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,178.50 (December 2000), 987.50 (December 1999), 401.00 (December 1998), 401.00 (December 1997), 401.26 (December 1996) note- beginning in July 1994, the central bank midpoint exchange rate was unified and became market determined; during 1998, the exchange rate splintered into four distinct rates; in January 1999 the government floated the guilder, but subsequently fixed it when the black-market rate plunged; the government currently allows trading within a band of SRG 500 around the official ratecalendar year Suriname Communications64,000 (1997)4,090 (1997) international facilities are good microwave radio relay network satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)300,000 (1997)3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)63,000 (1997).sr2 (2000)10,000 (2000)166 km (single track)80 km 1.435-m gauge86 km 1.000-m gauge note- Suriname railroads are not in operation (2000)4,530 km1,178 km3,352 km (1996)1,200 km note- most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterwaysAlbina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,432 GRT/4,525 DWTcargo 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)46 (2000 est.) 5 1 1 3 (2000 est.) 41 1 5 35 (2000 est.)National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Policemales age 15-49- 121,656 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 71,344 (2001 est.)$8.5 million (FY97 est.)1.6% (FY97 est.)international- area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed by Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne)transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealingSvalbardFirst discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway s sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years later it officially took over the territory.Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway78 00 N, 20 00 EArctic Region62,049 sq km62,049 sq km0 sq km note- includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)slightly smaller than West Virginia0 km3,587 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by Russia4 NMarctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the yearwild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north coastsArctic Ocean 0 mNewtontoppen 1,717 mcoal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish0%0%0%0%100% (no trees, and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry)NA sq kmice floes often block up the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime trafficNAnorthernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area2,332 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%-3.55% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/woman0% (2001)0 (2001)0 (2001)Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998)Russian, NorwegiannoneSvalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen)territory of Norway; administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to NorwayNALongyearbyennone (territory of Norway)NANAexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM unilaterally claimed by Norway but not recognized by RussiaKing HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)Governor Morten RUUD (since NA November 1998) and Assistant Governor Odd Redar HUMLEGAARD (since NA) elections- none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justicenonethe flag of Norway is used Svalbard EconomyCoal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus.purchasing power parity - $NANA%purchasing power parity - $NANA%NA%NA%NA%NA$11.5 million$11.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)NA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWh$NA$NA$8.2 million from Norway (1998)Norwegian krone (NOK)NOKNorwegian kroner per US dollar - 8.7784 (January 2001), 8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999), 7.5451 (1998), 7.0734 (1997), 6.4498 (1996) Svalbard CommunicationsNANA probably adequate local telephone service satellite earth station - 1 of unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only)AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998)NANANA.sj13 (Svalbard and Jan Mayen) (2000)NA Railways- 0 kmNA kmNA kmNA kmnoneBarentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)4 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 3 (2000 est.) Military - note- demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)international- focus of a maritime boundary dispute between Norway and RussiaSwazilandAutonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy.Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa26 30 S, 31 30 EAfrica17,363 sq km17,203 sq km160 sq kmslightly smaller than New Jerseytotal- 535 kmMozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)varies from tropical to near temperatemostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plainsGreat Usutu River 21 mEmlembe 1,862 masbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc11%0%62%7%20% (1993 est.)670 sq km (1993 est.)NAlimited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer ProtectionDesertification, Law of the Sealandlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa1,104,343 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 45.53% (male 250,327; female 252,479) 51.88% (male 276,186; female 296,728) 2.59% (male 11,687; female 16,936) (2001 est.)1.83% (2001 est.)40.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)21.84 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)109.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 38.62 years 37.86 years 39.4 years (2001 est.)5.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)25.25% (1999 est.)130,000 (1999 est.)7,100 (1999 est.)Swazi(s)SwaziAfrican 97%, European 3%Protestant 55%, Muslim 10%, Roman Catholic 5%, indigenous beliefs 30%English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official) age 15 and over can read and write 76.7% 78% 75.6% (1995 est.)Kingdom of SwazilandSwazilandmonarchy; independent member of CommonwealthMbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni6 September 1968 (from UK)Independence Day, 6 September (1968)none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but was not formally presented to the people; since then a few more outlines for a constitution have been compiled under the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), but so far none have been acceptedbased on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of agenone (landlocked)King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas DLAMINI (since 9 August 1996)Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarchbicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the Senate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms) House of Assembly - last held 16 and 24 October 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second roundHigh Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarchImbokodvo National Movement or INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Libertatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People s United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]; Swaziland National Front or SWANAFRO [Elmond SHONGWE, president]; Swaziland Progressive Party or SPP [J. J. NQUKU, president]; Swaziland United Front or SUF [Matsapa SHONGWE, leader] note- political parties are banned by the constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978; illegal parties are prohibited from holding large public gatherings; the organizations listed are political associationsNAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 362-6683 [1] (202) 244-8059 Ambassador Gregory L. JOHNSON Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane P. O. Box 199, Mbabane [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445 [268] 404-5959three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally Swaziland EconomyIn this small landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 60% of the population. Manufacturing features a number of agroprocessing factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years- diamond mines have shut down because of the depletion of easily accessible reserves; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978; and health concerns have cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of soft drink concentrate, sugar, and wood pulp are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives four-fifths of its imports and to which it sends two-thirds of its exports. Remittances from the Southern African Customs Union and Swazi workers in South African mines substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. Prospects for 2001 are strengthened by government millennium projects for a new convention center, additional hotels, an amusement park, a new airport, and stepped-up roadbuilding and factory construction plans.purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (2000 est.)2.4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2000 est.)10%46%44% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%6.4% (2000 est.)NAprivate sector 70%, public sector 30%22% (1995 est.)$400 million$450 million, including capital expenditures of $115 million (FY96/97)mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates3.7% (FY95/96)375 million kWh (1999)53.33%46.67%0% 0% (1999)198 million kWh (1999)852 million kWh (1999)701 million kWh note- supplied by South Africa (1999)sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep$881 million (f.o.b., 2000)soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruitSouth Africa 65%, EU 12%, Mozambique 11%, US 5% (1998)$928 million (f.o.b., 2000)motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicalsSouth Africa 84%, EU 5%, Japan 2%, Singapore 2% (1998)$281 million (2000 est.)$55 million (1995)lilangeni (SZL)SZLemalangeni per US dollar - 7.7803 (January 2001), 6.9056 (2000), 6.1087 (1999), 5.4807 (1998), 4.6032 (1997), 4.2706 (1996); note - the Swazi lilangeni is at par with the South African rand; emalangeni is the plural form of lilangeni1 April - 31 March Swaziland Communications33,500 (2000)30,000 (2000) not a modern system system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 7, FM 6 (2000)155,000 (1997)10 (2000)21,000 (1997).sz3 (2000)4,000 (2000)297 km; note - includes 71 km which are not in use297 km 1.067-m gauge3,000 km850 km2,150 km (1997)nonenone18 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 17 7 10 (2000 est.)Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army), Royal Swaziland Police Forcemales age 15-49- 248,084 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 143,618 (2001 est.)$19.198 million (FY00/01)4.75% (FY00/01)international- Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi KingdomSwedenA military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden s long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements has recently been undermined by high unemployment, rising maintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets. Indecision over the country s role in the political and economic integration of Europe caused Sweden not to join the EU until 1995, and to forgo the introduction of the euro in 1999.Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway62 00 N, 15 00 EEurope449,964 sq km410,934 sq km39,030 sq kmslightly larger than Californiatotal- 2,205 kmFinland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km3,218 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationagreed boundaries or midlines12 NM (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in northmostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in westBaltic Sea 0 mKebnekaise 2,111 mzinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower7%0%1%68%24% (1993 est.)1,150 sq km (1993 est.)ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime trafficacid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic SeaAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingClimate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas8,875,053 (July 2001 est.) 18.19% (male 828,308; female 786,353) 64.53% (male 2,911,949; female 2,814,730) 17.28% (male 649,296; female 884,417) (2001 est.)0.02% (2001 est.)9.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.61 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)3.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.71 years 77.07 years 82.5 years (2001 est.)1.53 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.08% (1999 est.)3,000 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Swede(s)Swedishindigenous population- Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants- Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, TurksLutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, BuddhistSwedish note- small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities age 15 and over can read and write 99% (1979 est.) NA% NA%Kingdom of SwedenSwedenKonungariket SverigeSverigeconstitutional monarchyStockholm21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)Flag Day, 6 June1 January 1975civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalKing CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996)Cabinet appointed by the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; prime minister elected by the Parliament; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131 out of 349 votesunicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) last held 20 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2002) percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 36.5%, Moderates 22.7%, Left Party 12%, Christian Democrats 11.8%, Center Party 5.1%, Liberal Party 4.7%, Greens 4.5%; seats by party - Social Democrats 131, Moderates 82, Left Party 43, Christian Democrats 42, Center Party 18, Liberal Party 17, Greens 16Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)Center Party [Lennart DALEUS]; Christian Democratic Party [Alf SVENSSON]; Communist Workers Party [Rolf HAGEL]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokesperson is Briger SCHLAUG]; Left Party or VP (formerly Communist) [Gudrun SCHYMAN]; Liberal People s Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Bo LUNDGREN]; New Democracy Party [Vivianne FRANZEN]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]NAAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Jan ELIASSON 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 [1] (202) 467-2600 [1] (202) 467-2699 Los Angeles and New York Ambassador Lyndon Lowell OLSON, Jr. Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) [46] (8) 783 53 00 [46] (8) 661 19 64blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Sweden EconomyAided by peace and neutrality for the whole twentieth century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been somewhat clouded by budgetary difficulties, high unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995. GDP growth is forecast for 4% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $197 billion (2000 est.)4.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $22,200 (2000 est.)2.2%27.9%69.9% (1999)NA%3.7%20.1% (1992)1.2% (2000 est.)4.4 million (2000 est.)agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)$133 billion$125.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles7% (2000 est.)146.633 billion kWh (1999)5.53%47.24%45.42% 1.81% (1999)128.819 billion kWh (1999)15.9 billion kWh (1999)8.35 billion kWh (1999)grains, sugar beets, potatoes; meat, milk$95.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicalsEU 55% (Germany 11%, UK 10%, Denmark 6%, Finland 5%, France 5%), US 9%, Norway 8% (1999)$80 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothingEU 67% (Germany 18%, UK 10%, Denmark 7%, France 6%), Norway 8%, US 6% (1999)$66.5 billion (1994) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)Swedish krona (SEK)SEKSwedish kronor per US dollar - 9.4669 (January 2001), 9.1622 (2000), 8.2624 (1999), 7.9499 (1998), 7.6349 (1997), 6.7060 (1996)calendar year Sweden Communications6.017 million (December 1998)3.835 million (October 1998) excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)8.25 million (1997)169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)4.6 million (1997).se29 (2000)4.5 million (2000)12,821 km (includes 3,594 km of privately owned railways)12,821 km 1.435-m gauge (7,918 km electrified and 1,152 km double track) (1998)210,760 km162,707 km (including 1,428 km of expressways)48,053 km (1999)2,052 km note- navigable for small steamers and bargesnatural gas 84 kmGavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall167 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,205,370 GRT/1,663,091 DWTbulk 5, cargo 28, chemical tanker 31, combination ore/oil 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 29, railcar carrier 1, roll on/roll off 40, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 6, vehicle carrier 17 (2000 est.)255 (2000 est.) 147 3 11 80 28 25 (2000 est.) 108 5 103 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force19 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,062,566 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,803,995 (2001 est.)males- 51,506 (2001 est.)$5 billion (FY98)2.1% (FY98)international- noneSwitzerlandSwitzerland s independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland s role in many UN and international organizations, may be rendering obsolete the country s concern for neutrality.Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy47 00 N, 8 00 EEurope41,290 sq km39,770 sq km1,520 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of New Jerseytotal- 1,852 kmAustria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showersmostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakesLake Maggiore 195 mDufourspitze 4,634 mhydropower potential, timber, salt10%2%28%32%28% (1993 est.)250 sq km (1993 est.)avalanches, landslides, flash floodsair pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversityAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sealandlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France and northern Italy, contains the highest elevations in Europe7,283,274 (July 2001 est.) 16.97% (male 634,030; female 601,929) 67.73% (male 2,505,450; female 2,427,408) 15.3% (male 453,366; female 661,091) (2001 est.)0.27% (2001 est.)10.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 79.73 years 76.85 years 82.76 years (2001 est.)1.47 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.46% (1999 est.)17,000 (1999 est.)150 (1999 est.)Swiss (singular and plural)SwissGerman 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990)German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch 0.6%, other 8.9% age 15 and over can read and write 99% (1980 est.) NA% NA%Swiss ConfederationSwitzerlandSchweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian)federal republicBern26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation)Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)29 May 1874civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2001); Vice President Kaspar VILLIGER (since 1 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2001); Vice President Kaspar VILLIGER (since 1 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentFederal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly from among its own members for a four-year term president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held 6 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001) Moritz LEUENBERGER elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 76%; Kaspar VILLIGER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 72%bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on a basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Council of States - last held in 1999 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2003) Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 18, CVP 15, SVP 7, SPS 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SPS 22.5%, SVP 22.6%, FDP 19.9%, CVP 15.8%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SPS 51, SVP 44, FDP 43, CVP 35, Greens 9, other small parties 18Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)Christian Democratic People s Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Adalbert DURRER, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruedi BAUMANN, president]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Franz STEINEGGER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christiane BRUNNER, president]; Swiss People s Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor partiesNAACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Alfred DEFAGO 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 745-7900 [1] (202) 387-2564 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s)- Boston Ambassador J. Richard FREDERICKS Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3001 Bern use embassy street address [41] (31) 357 70 11 [41] (31) 357 73 44red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag Switzerland EconomySwitzerland, a prosperous and stable modern market economy with a per capita GDP 20% above that of the big western European economies, experienced solid growth of 3% in 2000, but growth is expected to fall back to about 2% in 2001. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU s to enhance their international competitiveness. Although the Swiss are not pursuing full EU membership in the near term, in 1999 Bern and Brussels signed agreements to further liberalize trade ties, and the agreements should come into force in 2001. Switzerland is still considered a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc s long-term external value.purchasing power parity - $207 billion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $28,600 (2000 est.)2.8%31.1%66.1% (1995)NA%2.8%25.2% (1992)1.5% (2000 est.)3.9 million (964,000 foreign workers, mostly Italian) (1998 est.)services 69.1%, industry 26.3%, agriculture 4.6% (1998 est.)1.9% (2000 est.)$32.66 billion$34.89 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.3 billion (1998 est.)machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments8.6% (2000 est.)66.768 billion kWh (1999)3.44%59.16%35.43% 1.97% (1999)51.862 billion kWh (1999)31.955 billion kWh (1999)21.723 billion kWh (1999)grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs$91.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural productsEU 65.8% (Germany 22.6%, France 9.2%, Italy 8.0%, UK 5.5%, Austria 3.2%), US 12.4%, Japan 4.0% (1999)$91.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textilesEU 77.7% (Germany 31.0%, France 12.0%, Italy 9.7%, Netherlands 5.1%, UK 5.7%), US 7.1%, Japan 2.9% (1999)$NA Economic aid - donor- ODA, $1.1 billion (1995)Swiss franc (CHF)CHFSwiss francs per US dollar - 1.6303 (January 2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998), 1.4513 (1997), 1.2360 (1996)calendar year Switzerland Communications4.82 million (1998)1.967 million (1999) excellent domestic and international services extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998)7.1 million (1997)115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995)3.31 million (1997).ch44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000)2.4 million (2000)4,492 km (1,564 km double track)3,317 km 1.435-m gauge (3,288 km electrified)1,165 km 1.000-m gauge (1,165 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (1998)71,059 km (including 1,638 km of expressways)71,059 km0 km (1999)65 km note- The Rhine carries heavy traffic on the Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee stretches; there are also 12 navigable lakescrude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 kmBasel24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 435,966 GRT/780,458 DWTbulk 12, cargo 6, chemical tanker 5, petroleum tanker 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- UK 1 (2000 est.)67 (2000 est.) 42 3 4 13 7 15 (2000 est.) 25 25 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards20 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,849,034 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,570,918 (2001 est.)males- 42,597 (2001 est.)$3.1 billion (FY98)1.2% (FY98)international- nonebecause of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroinSyriaFollowing the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, Syria was administered by the French until independence in 1946. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. Since 1976, Syrian troops have been stationed in Lebanon, ostensibly in a peacekeeping capacity. In recent years, Syria and Israel have held occasional peace talks over the return of the Golan Heights.Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey35 00 N, 38 00 EMiddle East185,180 sq km184,050 sq km1,130 sq km note- includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territoryslightly larger than North Dakotatotal- 2,253 kmIraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km193 km41 NM35 NMmostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically hitting Damascusprimarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in westunnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 mMount Hermon 2,814 mpetroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower28%4%43%3%22% (1993 est.)9,060 sq km (1993 est.)dust storms, sandstormsdeforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from dumping of raw sewage and wastes from petroleum refining; inadequate supplies of potable waterBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsEnvironmental Modificationthere are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 1999 est.)16,728,808 note- in addition, there are about 38,200 people living in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 18,200 Arabs (16,500 Druze and 1,700 Alawites) and about 20,000 Israeli settlers (July 2001 est.) 39.92% (male 3,440,060; female 3,238,576) 56.87% (male 4,868,816; female 4,644,870) 3.21% (male 261,036; female 275,450) (2001 est.)2.54% (2001 est.)30.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)33.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.77 years 67.63 years 69.98 years (2001 est.)3.95 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)NANASyrian(s)SyrianArab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood age 15 and over can read and write 70.8% 85.7% 55.8% (1997 est.)Syrian Arab RepublicSyriaAl Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as SuriyahSuriyahUnited Arab Republic (with Egypt)republic under military regime since March 1963Damascus14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda , Dar a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)Independence Day, 17 April (1946)13 March 1973based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984) and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984)Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa MIRU (since 13 March 2000), Deputy Prime Ministers Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984), Khalid RA D (since 13 March 2000), Muhammad NAJI UTRI (since 13 March 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death of President Hafez al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held NA 2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.29% note- Hafiz al-ASAD died 10 June 2000; 20 June 2000 the Ba th Party nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his name to the People s Council 25 June 2000unicameral People s Council or Majlis al-shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NPF 67%, non-NPF 33%; seats by party - NPF 167, independents 83; note - the constitution guarantees that the Ba th Party (part of the NPF alliance) receive one-half of the seatsSupreme Constitutional Court (justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president); High Judicial Council; Court of Cassation; State Security CourtsNational Progressive Front or NPF (includes the Ba th Party, ASU, Arab Socialist Party, Socialist Unionist Democratic Party, ASP, SCP) [President Bashar al-ASAD]; Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba th) Party (governing party) [Bashar al-ASAD, secretary general of the party, and chairman of the National Progressive Front after the death of Hafiz al-ASAD on 10 June 2000]; Arab Socialist Unionist Movement or ASU [Sami SOUFAN]; Arab Socialist Party [Abd al-Ghani KANNUT]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Ahmad al-ASAD]; Syrian Arab Socialist Party or ASP [Safwan KOUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party or SCP [Yusuf FAYSAL]conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood (operates in exile in Jordan and Yemen); non-Ba th parties have little effective political influenceABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO Ambassador Rustum al-ZU BI 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-6313 [1] (202) 234-9548 Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street, No. 2, Damascus P. O. Box 29, Damascus [963] (11) 333-2814 [963] (11) 224-7938three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Syria EconomySyria s predominantly statist economy is on a shaky footing because of Damascus s failure to implement extensive economic reform. The dominant agricultural sector remains underdeveloped, with roughly 80% of agricultural land still dependent on rain-fed sources. Although Syria has sufficient water supplies in the aggregate at normal levels of precipitation, the great distance between major water supplies and population centers poses serious distribution problems. The water problem is exacerbated by rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and increased water pollution. Private investment is critical to the modernization of the agricultural, energy, and export sectors. Oil production is leveling off, and the efforts of the nonoil sector to penetrate international markets have fallen short. Syria s inadequate infrastructure, outmoded technological base, and weak educational system make it vulnerable to future shocks and hamper competition with neighbors such as Jordan and Israel. The government recognizes the need to open the economy to additional domestic and foreign investment.purchasing power parity - $50.9 billion (2000 est.)3.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2000 est.)29%22%49% (1997)15%-25%NA%NA%1.5% (2000 est.)4.7 million (1998 est.)agriculture 40%, industry 20%, services 40% (1996 est.)20% (2000 est.)$2.25 billion$5.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock miningNA%17.94 billion kWh (1999)57.64%42.36%0% 0% (1999)16.684 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk$4.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)petroleum 65%, textiles 10%, manufactured goods 10%, fruits and vegetables 7%, raw cotton 5%, live sheep 2%, phosphates 1% (1998 est.)Germany 21%, Italy 12%, France 10%, Saudi Arabia 9%, Turkey 8% (1999 est.)$3.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment 23%, foodstuffs/animals 20%, metal and metal products 15%, textiles 10%, chemicals 10% (1998 est.)France 11%, Italy 8%, Germany 7%, Turkey 5%, China 4% (1999 est.)$22 billion (2000 est.)$199 million (1997 est.)Syrian pound (SYP)SYPSyrian pounds per US dollar - 46 (2000), 46 (1998), 41.9 (January 1997)calendar year Syria Communications1.313 million (1997)NA fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in MedarabtelAM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)4.15 million (1997)44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995)1.05 million (1997).sy1 (2000)20,000 (2000)2,750 km2,423 km 1.435-m gauge327 km 1.050-m gauge note- rail link between Syria and Iraq replaced in 2000 (2000)41,451 km9,575 km (including 877 km of expressways)31,876 km (1997)870 km (minimal economic importance)crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 kmBaniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus133 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 425,392 GRT/612,097 DWTbulk 11, cargo 117, livestock carrier 4, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)100 (2000 est.) 24 5 16 1 2 (2000 est.) 76 2 11 63 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, Police and Security Force19 years of agemales age 15-49- 4,384,528 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,448,630 (2001 est.)males- 200,859 (2001 est.)$921 million (FY00 est.); note - based on official budget data that may understate actual spending5.9% (FY98)international- Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; dispute with upstream riparian Turkey over Turkish water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976a transit point for opiates and hashish bound for regional and Western marketsTaiwanIn 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan, however it reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within its governing structure. Throughout this period, the island has prospered to become one of East Asia s economic "Tigers." The dominant political issue continues to be the relationship between Taiwan and China and the question of eventual reunification.Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China23 30 N, 121 00 ESoutheast Asia35,980 sq km32,260 sq km3,720 sq km note- includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoyslightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined0 km1,566.3 km200 NM12 NMtropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all yeareastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in westSouth China Sea 0 mYu Shan 3,997 msmall deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos24%1%5%55%15%NA sq kmearthquakes and typhoonsair pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposalnone of the selected agreementsnone of the selected agreements22,370,461 (July 2001 est.) 21.22% (male 2,470,270; female 2,276,108) 69.97% (male 7,944,451; female 7,707,250) 8.81% (male 1,034,230; female 938,152) (2001 est.)0.8% (2001 est.)14.31 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.09 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 76.54 years 73.81 years 79.51 years (2001 est.)1.76 children born/woman (2001 est.)NANAChinese (singular and plural)ChineseTaiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects age 15 and over can read and write 86% (1980 est.); note - literacy for the total population has reportedly increased to 94% (1998 est.) 93% (1980 est.) 79% (1980 est.)noneTaiwannoneT ai-wanFormosamultiparty democratic regime headed by popularly elected presidentTaipeisince in the past the authorities claimed to be the government of all China, the central administrative divisions include the provinces of Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu) and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); note - the more commonly referenced administrative divisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t ou, P eng-hu, P ing-tung, T ai-chung, T ai-chung*, T ai-nan, T ai-nan*, T ai-pei, T ai-pei**, T ai-tung, T ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts un note- Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanizationRepublic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)1 January 1947, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 1999based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations20 years of age; universalPresident CHEN Shui-bien (20 May 2000) and Vice President Annette LU (since 20 May 2000)Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) CHANG Chun-hsiung (since NA October 2000) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) LAI In-jaw (since NA October 2000)Executive Yuan appointed by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 18 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier CHEN Shui-bien elected president; percent of vote - CHEN Shui-bien (DPP) 39.3%, James SOONG (independent) 36.84%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 23.1%, HSU Hsin-liang (independent) 0.63%, LEE Ao (CNP) 0.13%unicameral Legislative Yuan (225 seats - 168 elected by popular vote, 41 elected on the basis of the proportion of nationwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected from overseas Chinese constituencies on the basis of the proportion of nationwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected by popular vote among the aboriginal populations; members serve three-year terms) and unicameral National Assembly (300 seats, note - total number of seats has been reduced from 334 to 300 since the last election; members are elected by proportional representation based on the election of the Legislative Yuan and serve four-year terms) Legislative Yuan - last held 5 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2001); National Assembly - last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA June 2002) Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 46%, DPP 29%, CNP 7%, independents 10%, other parties 8%; seats by party - KMT 123, DPP 70, CNP 11, independents 15, other parties 6; subsequent to the election there have been some changes in the distribution of seats in the Legislative Yuan due to new party formation and party defections, the new distribution is as follows - KMT 114, DPP 66, PFP 17, NP 9, other/independent 19; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - KMT 55%, DPP 30%, CNP 14%, other 1%; seats by party - KMT 183, DPP 99, CNP 46, other 6Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; note - beginning in 2003, justices will be appointed by the president with the consent of the Legislative Yuan)Chinese New Party or CNP [HAU Lang-bin]; Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Frank HSIEH, chairman]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [LIEN Chan, chairman]; New Party or NP [LI Ching-hwa]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG, chairman]; other minor partiesTaiwan independence movement, various business and environmental groups note- debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan s legislature have opened public debate on the island s national identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that Taiwan currently enjoys de facto independence and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan s people must have the deciding voice; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually reunify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation BuildingAPEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, ICFTU, IFRCS, IOC, WCL, WTrO (observer) [1] (703) 525-8474 and [1] (703) 841-1385) and offices in Taipei at #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 2709-2000, FAX [886] (2) 2702-7675, and in Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, FAX [886] (7) 223-8237, and the American Trade Center at Room 3208 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886] (2) 2720-1550, FAX [886] (2) 2757-7162red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays Taiwan EconomyTaiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by government authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 8% during the past three decades. Exports have grown even faster and have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. Inflation and unemployment are low; the trade surplus is substantial; and foreign reserves are the world s fourth largest. Agriculture contributes 3% to GDP, down from 35% in 1952. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being moved offshore and replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal. Because of its conservative financial approach and its entrepreneurial strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many of its neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998-99. Growth in 2001 will depend largely on conditions in Taiwan s export markets and may be about 5%.purchasing power parity - $386 billion (2000 est.)6.3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $17,400 (2000 est.)3%33%64% (1999 est.)1% (1999 est.)NA%NA%1.3% (2000 est.)9.8 million (2000 est.)services 55%, industry 37%, agriculture 8% (1999 est.)3% (2000 est.)$42.74 billion$48.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing8% (2000 est.)139.676 billion kWh (1999)67.26%6.32%26.42% 0% (1999)129.899 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish$148.38 billion (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and electrical equipment 51%, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicalsUS 23.5%, Hong Kong 21.1%, Europe 16%, ASEAN 12.2%, Japan 11.2% (2000)$140.01 billion (c.i.f., 2000)machinery and electrical equipment 51%, minerals, precision instrumentsJapan 27.5%, US 17.9%, Europe 13.6% (2000)$40 billion (2000)new Taiwan dollar (TWD)TWDnew Taiwan dollars per US dollar - 33.082 (yearend 2000), 31.395 (yearend 1999), 32.216 (1998), 32.052 (1997), 27.5 (1996)1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00) Taiwan Communications12.49 million (September 2000)16 million (September 2000) provides telecommunications service for every business and private need thoroughly modern; completely digitalized satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe (1999)AM 218, FM 333, shortwave 50 (1999)16 million (1994)29 (plus two repeaters) (1997)8.8 million (1998).tw8 (2000)6.4 million (2000)4,600 km (519 km electrified)4,600 km 1.067-m note- only 1,108 km of route length (including the electrified part) is used in common carrier service by the Taiwan Railway Administration; the remaining 3,492 km is dedicated to industrial use (1999)34,901 km31,271 km (including 538 km of expressways)3,630 km (1998 est.)NApetroleum products 3,400 km; natural gas 1,800 km (1999)Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T ai-chung167 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,768,145 GRT/7,508,941 DWTbulk 45, cargo 29, combination bulk 1, container 65, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)39 (2000 est.) 35 8 9 8 7 3 (2000 est.) 4 1 3 (2000 est.)3 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Coastal Patrol and Defense Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces19 years of agemales age 15-49- 6,575,689 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 5,025,856 (2001 est.)males- 198,766 (2001 est.)$8.042 billion (FY98/99)2.8% (FY98/99)international- involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does Chinatransit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroinTajikistanTajikistan has experienced three changes in government and a five-year civil war since it gained independence in 1991 from the USSR. A peace agreement among rival factions was signed in 1997, and implementation reportedly completed by late 1999. Part of the agreement required the legalization of opposition political parties prior to the 1999 elections, which occurred, but such parties have made little progress in successful participation in government. Random criminal and political violence in the country remains a complication impairing Tajikistan s ability to engage internationally.Central Asia, west of China39 00 N, 71 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States143,100 sq km142,700 sq km400 sq kmslightly smaller than Wisconsintotal- 3,651 kmAfghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir MountainsPamir and Alay mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwestSyrdariya 300 mPik Imeni Ismail Samani 7,495 mhydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold6%0%25%4%65% (1993 est.)6,390 sq km (1993 est.)NAinadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides; part of the basin of the shrinking Aral Sea suffers from severe overutilization of available water for irrigation and associated pollutionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementslandlocked6,578,681 (July 2001 est.) 41.18% (male 1,367,194; female 1,341,967) 54.22% (male 1,773,605; female 1,793,345) 4.6% (male 131,009; female 171,561) (2001 est.)2.12% (2001 est.)33.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.57 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-3.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)116.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 64.18 years 61.09 years 67.42 years (2001 est.)4.29 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Tajikistani(s)TajikistaniTajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of emigration), other 6.6%Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi a Muslim 5%Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99% 97% (1989 est.)Republic of TajikistanTajikistanJumhurii TojikistonnoneTajik Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicDushanbe2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati mukhtori); Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* (Khorugh - formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod (Khujand - formerly Leninabad) note- the administrative center name follows in parentheses9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 9 September (1991)6 November 1994based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992)Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2%bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (33 seats; members are indirectly elected, 25 selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; all to serve five-year terms) last held 27 February and 12 March 2000 for the Assembly of Representatives (next to be held NA 2005) and 23 March 2000 for the National Assembly (next to be held NA 2005) Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 65%, Communist Party 20%, Islamic Rebirth Party 7.5%, other 7.5%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NASupreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)Congress of People s Unity of Tajikistan [Saiffidin TURAYEV]; Democratic Party or TDP [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV, chairman]; Islamic Rebirth Party [Muhammadsharif HIMMAT-ZODA, chairman]; Lali Badakhshan Movement [Atobek AMIRBEKOV]; National Movement Party [Hakim MUHHABATOV]; Party of Justice and Development [Rahmatullo ZOIROV]; People s Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMONOV]; Rastokhez (Rebirth) Movement [Tohiri ABDUJABBOR]; Socialist Party [Sherali KENJAEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV]; Adolatho "Justice" Party [Abdurahmon KARIMOV, chairman]NAAsDB, CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM, ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Robert P. J. FINN temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in Almaty (Kazakhstan) use embassy street address NA NAthree horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe Tajikistan EconomyTajikistan has the lowest per capita GDP among the 15 former Soviet republics. Cotton is the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The Tajikistani economy has been gravely weakened by six years of civil conflict and by the loss of subsidies from Moscow and of markets for its products. Most of its people live in abject poverty. Tajikistan depends on aid from Russia and Uzbekistan and on international humanitarian assistance for much of its basic subsistence needs. The future of Tajikistan s economy and the potential for attracting foreign investment depend upon stability and continued progress in the peace process.purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (2000 est.)5.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,140 (2000 est.)19.8%18.1%62.1% (1998)80% (2000 est.)NA%NA%33% (2000 est.)1.9 million (1996)agriculture 50%, industry 20%, services 30% (1997 est.)5.7% includes only officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers and unregistered unemployed people (December 1998)$146 million$196 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers10% (2000 est.)15.623 billion kWh (1999)1.9%98.1%0% 0% (1999)14.729 billion kWh (1999)3.9 billion kWh (1999)4.1 billion kWh (1999)cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats$761 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textilesLiechtenstein 26%, Uzbekistan 20%, Russia 8% (1998)$782 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffsEurope 32.3%, Uzbekistan 29%, Russia 13.6% (1998)$1.3 billion (1999 est.)$64.7 million (1995)somoniSMTajikistani somoni per US dollar - 2.2 (January 2001), 1550 (January 2000), 998 (January 1999), 350 (January 1997), 284 (January 1996) note- the new unit of exchange was introduced on 30 October 2000, with one somoni equal to 1,000 of the old Tajikistani rublescalendar year Tajikistan Communications363,000 (1997)2,500 (1997) poorly developed and not well maintained; many towns are not reached by the national network cable and microwave radio relay linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 2 IntelsatAM 9, FM 6, shortwave 5 (1998)1.291 million (1991)0 (there are, however, repeaters that relay programs from Russia, Iran, and Turkey) (1997)860,000 (1991).tjNA2,000 (2000)480 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines (1990)29,900 km21,400 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)8,500 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)nonenatural gas 400 km (1992)none53 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 51 1 2 12 36 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Presidential National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,586,700 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,300,252 (2001 est.)males- 72,056 (2001 est.)$17 million (FY97)1.8% (FY97)international- portions of Tajikistan s northern and western border with Uzbekistan and its eastern border with China have not been officially demarcated; territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on northern boundary in Isfara Valley areamajor transshipment zone for heroin and opiates from Afghanistan going to Russia and Western Europe; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumptionTanzaniaShortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar s semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers claims of voting irregularities.Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique6 00 S, 35 00 EAfrica945,087 sq km886,037 sq km59,050 sq km note- includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibarslightly larger than twice the size of Californiatotal- 3,402 kmBurundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km1,424 km200 NM12 NMvaries from tropical along coast to temperate in highlandsplains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, southIndian Ocean 0 mKilimanjaro 5,895 mhydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel3%1%40%38%18% (1993 est.)1,500 sq km (1993 est.)flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; droughtsoil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agricultureBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsNuclear Test BanKilimanjaro is highest point in Africa36,232,074 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 44.76% (male 8,152,438; female 8,063,520) 52.35% (male 9,387,737; female 9,581,518) 2.89% (male 473,498; female 573,363) (2001 est.)2.61% (2001 est.)39.65 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)12.95 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)79.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 51.98 years 51.04 years 52.95 years (2001 est.)5.42 children born/woman (2001 est.)8.09% (1999 est.)1.3 million (1999 est.)140,000 (1999 est.)Tanzanian(s)Tanzanianmainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native Africanmainland - Christian 45%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 20%; Zanzibar - more than 99% MuslimKiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note- Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic 67.8% 79.4% 56.8% (1995 est.)United Republic of TanzaniaTanzaniaUnited Republic of Tanganyika and ZanzibarrepublicDar es Salaam; note - legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Omar Ali JUMA (since 23 November 1995); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentPresident Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Omar Ali JUMA (since 23 November 1995); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government note- Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to that office on 29 October 2000Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president; percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim Haruna LIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2%unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats - 232 elected by popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, five to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; members serve five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats, directly elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms) last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005) National Assembly- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 244, CUF 16, CHADEMA 4, TLP 3, UDP 2, Zanzibar representatives 5; Zanzibar House of Representatives- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 34, CUF 16Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court (consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts; Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the higher courts)Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI, chairman]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA, chairman]; Civic United Front or CUF [Seif Sharif HAMAD, secretary-general]; Democratic Party (unregistered) [Reverend Christopher MTIKLA, leader]; National Convention for Construction and Reform or NCCR [Kassim MAGUTU, secretary-general]; Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine Lyatonga MREMA, chairman]; Union for Multiparty Democracy or UMD [leader NA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO, leader]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Mustafa Salim NYANG ANYI 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-6125 [1] (202) 797-7408 Charge d Affaires Wanda NESBITT 140 Msese Road, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam [255] (22) 666010 through 666015 [255] (22) 666701divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue Tanzania EconomyTanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania s deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-2000 featured a pick up in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Natural gas exploration in the Rufiji Delta looks promising and production could start by 2002. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment. Continued donor support and solid macroeconomic policies should allow Tanzania to achieve real GDP growth of 6% in 2001 and in 2002.purchasing power parity - $25.1 billion (2000 est.)5.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $710 (2000 est.)49%17%34% (1998 est.)51.1% (1991 est.)2.9%30.2% (1993)6% (2000 est.)13.495 millionagriculture 80%, industry and commerce 20% (2000 est.)NA%$1.21 billion$1.36 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer, salt8.4% (1999 est.)2.248 billion kWh (1999)22.24%77.76%0% 0% (1999)2.134 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)43 million kWh (1999)coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar), corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats$937 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)coffee, manufactured goods, cotton, cashew nuts, minerals, tobacco, sisal (1996)India 20%, UK 10%, Germany 8%, Japan 8%, Netherlands 8%, Belgium 4% (1998)$1.57 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oilSouth Africa 8%, Japan 8%, UK 8%, Kenya 7%, India 6%, US 5% (1998)$6.8 billion (2000 est.)$963 million (1997)Tanzanian shilling (TZS)TZSTanzanian shillings per US dollar - 803.34 (December 2000), 800.41 (2000), 744.76 (1999), 664.67 (1998), 612.12 (1997), 579.98 (1996)1 July - 30 June Tanzania Communications127,000 (1998)30,000 (1999) fair system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; VSAT (very small aperture terminal) system under construction trunk service provided by open wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998)8.8 million (1997)3 (1999)103,000 (1997).tz6 (2000)25,000 (2000)3,569 km (1995)2,600 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gauge note- the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia (of which 969 km are in Tanzania and 891 km are in Zambia) is not a part of Tanzania Railways Corporation; because of the difference in gauge, this system does not connect to Tanzania Railways88,200 km3,704 km84,496 km (1996)note- Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa are principal avenues of commerce between Tanzania and its neighbors on those lakescrude oil 982 kmBukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,987 GRT/27,121 DWTcargo 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)126 (2000 est.) 11 2 2 5 1 1 (2000 est.) 115 17 63 35 (2000 est.)Tanzanian People s Defense Force or TPDF (includes Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit, Militiamales age 15-49- 8,365,337 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 4,841,095 (2001 est.)$21 million (FY98/99)0.2% (FY98/99)international- dispute with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); a resurvey of the latitudinal boundary with Uganda in 2000 revealed a 300-meter discrepancy that both sides are currently adjudicatinggrowing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for South African, European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for Southern AfricaThailandA unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century; it was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is the only southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict.Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma15 00 N, 100 00 ESoutheast Asia514,000 sq km511,770 sq km2,230 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Wyomingtotal- 4,863 kmBurma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km3,219 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humidcentral plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhereGulf of Thailand 0 mDoi Inthanon 2,576 mtin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land34%6%2%26%32% (1993 est.)44,000 sq km (1993 est.)land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughtsair pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal huntingClimate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsBiodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Seacontrols only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore61,797,751 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 23.43% (male 7,380,273; female 7,099,506) 69.95% (male 21,304,051; female 21,921,383) 6.62% (male 1,796,325; female 2,296,213) (2001 est.)0.91% (2001 est.)16.63 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)30.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.86 years 65.64 years 72.24 years (2001 est.)1.87 children born/woman (2001 est.)2.15% (1999 est.)755,000 (1999 est.)66,000 (1999 est.)Thai (singular and plural)ThaiThai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects age 15 and over can read and write 93.8% 96% 91.6% (1995 est.)Kingdom of ThailandThailandSiamconstitutional monarchyBangkok76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927)new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsoryKing PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since NA January 2001)Council of Ministers note- there is also a Privy Council none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following a national election for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime ministerbicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held 4 March, 29 April, 4 June, 9 July, and 22 July 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); House of Representatives - last held 6 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2005) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TRT 248, DP 128, TNP 41, NAP 36, NDP 29, other 18Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)Democratic Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [CHUAN Likphai]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP (Seri Tham) [PHINIT Charusombat]; Mass Party or MP [CHALERM Yoobamrung, SOPHON Petchsavang]; National Development Party or NDP (Chat Phattana) [KORN Dabbaransi]; New Aspiration Party or NAP (Khwamwang Mai) [Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut]; Phalang Dharma Party or PDP (Phalang Tham) [CHAIWAT Sinsuwong]; Social Action Party or SAP (Kitsangkhom Party) [leader vacant]; Solidarity Party or SP (Ekkaphap Party) [CHAIYOT Sasomsap]; Thai Citizen s Party or TCP (Prachakon Thai) [SAMAK Sunthonwet]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BANHAN Sinlapa-acha]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat]NAAPEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador TEJ Bunnag 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 944-3600 [1] (202) 944-3611 Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador Richard E. HECKLINGER 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok APO AP 96546 [66] (2) 205-4000 [66] (2) 254-1171 Chiang Maifive horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red Thailand EconomyAfter enjoying the world s highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand s currency in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the baht. Long pegged at 25 to the dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1999, expanding 4.2% and grew about the same amount in 2000, largely due to strong exports - which increased about 20% in 2000. An ailing financial sector and the slow pace of corporate debt restructuring, combined with a softening of global demand, is likely to slow growth in 2001.purchasing power parity - $413 billion (2000 est.)4.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2000 est.)13%40%47% (1999)12.5% (1998 est.)2.5%37.1% (1992)2.1% (2000 est.)32.6 million (1997 est.)agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services 31% (1996 est.)3.7% (2000 est.)$19 billion$21 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world s second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer3% (2000 est.)89.431 billion kWh (1999)91.17%3.81%0% 5.02% (1999)83.991 billion kWh (1999)200 million kWh (1999)1.02 billion kWh (1999)rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans$68.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)computers and parts, textiles, integrated circuits, riceUS 22%, Japan 14%, Singapore 9%, Hong Kong 5%, Netherlands 4%, Malaysia 4%, UK 4% (1999)$61.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuelsJapan 26%, US 14%, Singapore 6%, China 5%, Malaysia 5%, Taiwan 5% (1999)$90 billion (2000 est.)$131.5 million (1998 est.)baht (THB)THBbaht per US dollar - 43.078 (January 2001), 40.112 (2000), 37.814 (1999), 41.359 (1998), 31.364 (1997), 25.343 (1996)1 October - 30 September Thailand Communications5.4 million (1998)2.3 million (1998) service to general public adequate, but investment in technological upgrades reduced by recession; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999)13.96 million (1997)5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997)15.19 million (1997).th15 (2000)1 million (2000)3,940 km3,940 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)64,600 km62,985 km1,615 km (1996)4,000 km note- 3,701 km are navigable throughout the year by boats with drafts up to 0.9 meters; numerous minor waterways serve shallow-draft native craftpetroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 kmBangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla294 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,845,972 GRT/2,923,914 DWTbulk 36, cargo 133, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 14, liquefied gas 20, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 61, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 5 (2000 est.)110 (2000 est.) 59 6 11 21 17 4 (2000 est.) 51 1 16 34 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces18 years of agemales age 15-49- 17,717,268 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 10,646,818 (2001 est.)males- 567,659 (2001 est.)$1.775 billion (FY00)1.4% (FY00)international- parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; sporadic border hostilities with Burma over border alignment and ethnic Shan rebels operating in cross-border regiona minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamineTogoFrench Togoland became Togo in 1960. General Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, is Africa s longest-serving head of state. Despite the facade of multiparty elections that resulted in EYADEMA s victory in 1993, the government continues to be dominated by the military. In addition, Togo has come under fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is plagued by political unrest. Most bilateral and multilateral aid to Togo remains frozen.Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana8 00 N, 1 10 EAfrica56,785 sq km54,385 sq km2,400 sq kmslightly smaller than West Virginiatotal- 1,647 kmBenin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km56 km200 NM30 NMtropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in northgently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshesAtlantic Ocean 0 mMont Agou 986 mphosphates, limestone, marble, arable land38%7%4%17%34% (1993 est.)70 sq km (1993 est.)hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughtsdeforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areasBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements5,153,088 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 45.63% (male 1,179,650; female 1,171,748) 51.92% (male 1,302,197; female 1,373,247) 2.45% (male 54,651; female 71,595) (2001 est.)2.6% (2001 est.)37.04 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)11.24 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)70.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 54.35 years 52.38 years 56.38 years (2001 est.)5.32 children born/woman (2001 est.)5.98% (1999 est.)130,000 (1999 est.)14,000 (1999 est.)Togolese (singular and plural)Togolesenative African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%indigenous beliefs 59%, Christian 29%, Muslim 12%French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north) age 15 and over can read and write 51.7% 67% 37% (1995 est.)Togolese RepublicTogoRepublique TogolaisenoneFrench Togolandrepublic under transition to multiparty democratic ruleLome5 regions (regions, singular - region); De La Kara, Des Plateaux, Des Savanes, Du Centre, Maritime27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)Independence Day, 27 April (1960)multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992French-based court systemNA years of age; universal adultPresident Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967)Prime Minister Agbeyome KODJO (since 29 August 2000)Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); prime minister appointed by the president Gnassingbe EYADEMA reelected president; percent of vote - Gnassingbe EYADEMA 52.13%, Gilchrist OLYMPIO 34.12%, other 13.75%unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 21 March 1999 (next due to be held NA October 2001) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPT 79, independents 2 note- Togo s main opposition parties boycotted the election because of EYADEMA s alleged manipulation of 1998 presidential polling; in March of 1999, opposition parties entered into negotiations with the president over the establishment of an independent electoral commission and a new round of legislative elections, now scheduled for October 2001Court of Appeal or Cour d Appel; Supreme Court or Cour SupremeAction Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yawovi AGBOYIBO]; Coordination des Forces Nouvelles or CFN [Joseph KOFFIGOH]; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA [Leopold GNININVI]; Party for Democracy and Renewal or PDR [Zarifou AYEVA]; Patriotic Pan-African Convergence or CPP [Edem KODJO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA]; Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO (in exile), Jeane-Pierre FABRE, general secretary in Togo]; Union of Independent Liberals or ULI [Jacques AMOUZO] note- Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President EYADEMA, was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991NAACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Akoussoulelov BODJONA 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-4212 [1] (202) 232-3190 Ambassador Karl HOFMANN Angle Rue Kouenou and Rue 15 Beniglato, Lome B. P. 852, Lome [228] 21 29 91 through 21 29 94 [228] 21 79 52five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Togo EconomyThis small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Together, cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate some 40% of export earnings, with cotton being the most significant cash crop despite falling prices on the world market. In the industrial sector, phosphate mining is by far the most important activity. Togo is the world s fourth largest producer, and geological advantages keep production costs low. The recently privatized mining operation, Office Togolais des Phosphates (OTP), is slowly recovering from a steep fall in prices in the early 1990 s, but continues to face the challenge of tough foreign competition, exacerbated by weakening demand. Togo serves as a regional commercial and trade center. It continues to expand its duty-free export-processing zone (EPZ), launched in 1989, which has attracted enterprises from France, Italy, Scandinavia, the US, India, and China and created jobs for Togolese nationals. The government s decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has stalled. Progress depends on following through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress towards legislative elections, and possible downsizing of the military, on which the regime has depended to stay in place. Lack of foreign aid, deterioration of the financial sector, energy shortages, and depressed commodity prices continue to constrain economic growth; however, Togo did realize a 3% gain in GDP in 1999. The takeover of the national power company by a Franco-Canadian consortium in 2000 should ease the energy crisis and if successful legislative elections pave the way for increased aid, growth should rise to 5% a year in 2001-02.purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (2000 est.)3.4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2000 est.)42%21%37% (1997)32% (1989 est.)NA%NA%2.5% (2000 est.)1.74 million (1996)agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.)NA%$232 million$252 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beveragesNA%92 million kWh (1999)97.83%2.17%0% 0% (1999)511.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)426 million kWh note- electricity supplied by Ghana (1999)coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish$336 million (f.o.b., 2000)cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoaNigeria, Brazil, Canada, Philippines (1999)$452 million (f.o.b., 2000)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum productsGhana, China, France, Cote d Ivoire (1999)$1.5 billion (1999)$201.1 million (1995)Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African StatesXOFCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per eurocalendar year Togo Communications25,000 (1997)2,995 (1997) fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile cellular system microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; cellular system has capacity of 10,000 telephones satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 SymphonieAM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)940,000 (1997)3 (plus two repeaters) (1997)73,000 (1997).tg3 (2000)10,000 (2000)525 km (1995)525 km 1.000-m gauge7,520 km2,376 km5,144 km (1996)50 km (Mono river)Kpeme, Lome1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,603 GRT/2,800 DWTspecialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)9 (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) 7 5 2 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmeriemales age 15-49- 1,175,528 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 616,622 (2001 est.)$27 million (FY96)2% (FY96)international- nonetransit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickersTokelauOriginally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. According to a UN report, these low-lying islands will disappear in the 21st century, if global warming continues to raise sea levels.Oceania, group of three islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand9 00 S, 172 00 WOceania10 sq km10 sq km0 sq kmabout 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km101 km200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoonsPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 5 mNEGL0% (soil is thin and infertile)0%0%0%100% (1993 est.)NA sq kmlies in Pacific typhoon beltvery limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand1,445 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%-0.92% (2001 est.)NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANATokelauan(s)TokelauanPolynesianCongregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note- on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominantTokelauan (a Polynesian language), EnglishnoneTokelauterritory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with WellingtonNAnone; each atoll has its own administrative centernone (territory of New Zealand)none (territory of New Zealand)Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970British and local statutes21 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993)Aliki Faipule FALIMATEAO (since NA 1997)the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders, one from each atoll; functions as a cabinet none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year termunicameral General Fono (45 seats - 15 from each of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll s Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General FonoSupreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in TokelaunonenoneSPC, WHO (associate)the flag of New Zealand is used Tokelau EconomyTokelau s small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NANA%$430,830$2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.)small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishingNA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhcoconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats$98,000 (f.o.b., 1983)stamps, copra, handicraftsNZ$323,400 (c.i.f., 1983)foodstuffs, building materials, fuelNZ$0$3.8 million (1995)New Zealand dollar (NZD)NZDNew Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)1 April - 31 March Tokelau CommunicationsNA0 (2001) adequate radiotelephone service between islands radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite earth stations, established in 1997AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note- each atoll has a radio broadcast station of unknown type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports (1998)1,000 (1997)NANA.tk1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 kmNA kmNA kmNA kmnonenone; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Samoa Military - note- defense is the responsibility of New Zealandinternational- noneTongaThe archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand20 00 S, 175 00 WOceania748 sq km718 sq km30 sq kmfour times the size of Washington, DC0 km419 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic basePacific Ocean 0 munnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 mfish, fertile soil24%43%6%11%16% (1993 est.)NA sq kmcyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo oudeforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populationsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionnone of the selected agreementsarchipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)104,227 (July 2001 est.) 40.93% (male 21,739; female 20,916) 54.99% (male 28,231; female 29,082) 4.08% (male 1,912; female 2,347) (2001 est.)1.79% (2001 est.)23.59 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.25 years 65.83 years 70.78 years (2001 est.)3 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANATongan(s)TonganPolynesian, Europeans about 300Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)Tongan, English can read and write Tongan and/or English 98.5% 98.4% 98.7% (1996 est.)Kingdom of TongaTongaFriendly Islandshereditary constitutional monarchyNuku alofa3 island groups; Ha apai, Tongatapu, Vava u4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)Independence Day, 4 June (1970)4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967based on English law21 years of age; universalKing Taufa ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001)Cabinet appointed by the monarch note- there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch and the Cabinet none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarchunicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country s 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote - pro-democratic 40%; seats - pro-democratic 5, traditionalist 4Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court)Human Rights and Democracy Movement [Huliki WATAB, chairman, Viliami FUKOFUKA, president, Akilisi POHIVA, vice president]Pro-Democracy and Human Rights Movement [leader NA]ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) San Franciscored with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner Tonga EconomyTonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods, which contributes 30% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonable basic infrastructure and well-developed social services.purchasing power parity - $225 million (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2000 est.)30%10%60% (1997)NA%NA%NA%7% (2000 est.)34,000 (FY96/97)agriculture 65% (1997 est.)13.3% (FY96/97)$49 million$120 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY96/97 est.)tourism, fishing8.6% (FY98/99)35 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)32.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish$8 million (f.o.b., 1998)squash, fish, vanilla beansJapan 53%, US 18%, NZ 6%, Australia 6% (1997 est.)$69 million (f.o.b., 1998)foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicalsNZ 30%, Australia 19%, US 11%, UK 11%, Japan 3% (1997 est.)$62 million (1998)$38.8 million (1995)pa anga (TOP)TOPpa anga per US dollar - 1.9885 (January 2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (1999), 1.4920 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996)1 July - 30 June Tonga Communications8,000 (1996)302 (1996) NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001)61,000 (1997)1 (2001)2,000 (1997).to2 (2000)1,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km680 km184 km496 km (1996)noneNeiafu, Nuku alofa, Pangai8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,626 GRT/29,468 DWTbulk 1, cargo 2, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)6 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 5 1 2 2 (2000 est.)Tonga Defense Services (includes Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note - a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed$NANA%international- noneTrinidad and TobagoThe islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela11 00 N, 61 00 WCentral America and the Caribbean5,128 sq km5,128 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Delaware0 km362 km24 NM200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical; rainy season (June to December)mostly plains with some hills and low mountainsCaribbean Sea 0 mEl Cerro del Aripo 940 mpetroleum, natural gas, asphalt15%9%2%46%28% (1993 est.)220 sq km (1993 est.)outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical stormswater pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosionBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandsnone of the selected agreements1,169,682 (July 2001 est.) 24.1% (male 143,730; female 138,160) 69.2% (male 415,898; female 393,551) 6.7% (male 34,785; female 43,558) (2001 est.)-0.51% (2001 est.)13.73 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-9.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)24.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 68.27 years 65.74 years 70.92 years (2001 est.)1.81 children born/woman (2001 est.)1.05% (1999 est.)7,800 (1999 est.)530 (1999 est.)Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)Trinidadian, Tobagonianblack 39.5%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2%Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese age 15 and over can read and write 97.9% 98.8% 97% (1995 est.)Republic of Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobagoparliamentary democracyPort-of-Spain8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria31 August 1962 (from UK)Independence Day, 31 August (1962)1 August 1976based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON (since 19 March 1997)Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November 1995)Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term; election last held 11 December 2000 (next to be held by NA 2005); prime minister appointed from among the members of Parliament; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives is usually appointed prime minister Arthur Napoleon Raymond ROBINSON elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 69%bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) House of Representatives - last held 11 December 2000 (next to be held by December 2005) House of Representatives - percent of vote - UNC 58.1%, PNM 40.8%, NAR 1.1%; seats by party - UNC 19, PNM 16, NAR 1 note- Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly, with 15 members serving four-year termsSupreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Court of Appeals; The Majistracy (hears minor civil cases and summary criminal cases)National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Hochay CHARLES]; People s Empowerment Party or PEP [leader NA]; People s National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; United National Congress or UNC [Basdeo PANDAY]Jamaat Al Musilmeen [Abu BAKR]ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador (vacant) 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 467-6490 [1] (202) 785-3130 Miami and New York Ambassador Edward E. SHUMAKER, III (until April, 2001) 15 Queen s Park West, Port-of-Spain P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain [1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376, 6176 [1] (868) 628-5462red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side Trinidad and Tobago EconomyTrinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. Successful economic reforms were implemented in 1995, and foreign investment and trade are flourishing. Persistently high unemployment remains one of the chief challenges of the government. The petrochemical sector has spurred growth in other related sectors, reinforcing the government s commitment to economic diversification. Tourism is growing, especially in the pleasure boat sector. New investment and construction also will continue to drive the economy.purchasing power parity - $11.2 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $9,500 (2000 est.)2%44%54% (1998 est.)21% (1992 est.)NA%NA%3.2% (2000 est.)558,700 (1998)construction and utilities 12.4%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 9.5%, services 64.1% (1997 est.)12.8% (2000)$1.54 billion$1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $117.3 million (1998)petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles3.8% (2000)4.9 billion kWh (1999)99.59%0%0% 0.41% (1999)4.557 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry$3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowersUS 39.3%, Caricom countries 26.1%, Latin America 9.5%, EU 5.7% (1999)$3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animalsUS 39.8%, Venezuela 11.9%, EU 11%, Caricom 4.8% (1999)$2.8 billion (2000 est.)$121.4 million (1995)Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)TTDTrinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar - 6.2688 (January 2001), 6.2998 (2000), 6.2989 (1999), 6.2983 (1998), 6.2517 (1997), 6.0051 (1996)1 October - 30 September Trinidad and Tobago Communications243,000 (1997)17,411 (1997) excellent international service; good local service NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and GuyanaAM 2, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)680,000 (1997)4 (1997)425,000 (1997).tt17 (2000)30,000 (2000) Railways- minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway service was discontinued in 19688,320 km4,252 km4,068 km (1996)nonecrude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural gas 904 kmPointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,439 GRT/4,040 DWTcargo 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)6 (2000 est.) 3 1 1 1 (2000 est.) 3 1 2 (2000 est.)Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Servicemales age 15-49- 346,043 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 247,297 (2001 est.)$83 million (FY94)NA%international- nonetransshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabisTromelin IslandFirst 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.Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar15 52 S, 54 25 EAfrica1 sq km1 sq km0 sq kmabout 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km3.7 km200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropicallow, flat, and sandyIndian Ocean 0 munnamed location 7 mfish0%0%0%0%100% (scattered bushes)0 sq km (1993)NANAclimatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuaryuninhabited (July 2001 est.)noneTromelin IslandnoneIle Tromelinpossession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunionthe laws of France, where applicable, applythe flag of France is used Tromelin Island Economyno economic activity Tromelin Island Communications Communications - note- important meteorological stationnonenone; offshore anchorage only1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- claimed by Madagascar and MauritiusTunisiaFollowing independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGIUBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society.Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya34 00 N, 9 00 EAfrica163,610 sq km155,360 sq km8,250 sq kmslightly larger than Georgiatotal- 1,424 kmAlgeria 965 km, Libya 459 km1,148 km24 NM12 NMtemperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in southmountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the SaharaShatt al Gharsah -17 mJebel ech Chambi 1,544 mpetroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt19%13%20%4%44% (1993 est.)3,850 sq km (1993 est.)NAtoxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsMarine Life Conservationstrategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration9,705,102 (July 2001 est.) 28.74% (male 1,440,636; female 1,348,133) 65.12% (male 3,157,988; female 3,161,596) 6.14% (male 296,930; female 299,819) (2001 est.)1.15% (2001 est.)17.11 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.99 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)29.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.92 years 72.35 years 75.62 years (2001 est.)1.99 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.04% (1999 est.)NANATunisian(s)TunisianArab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce) age 15 and over can read and write 66.7% 78.6% 54.6% (1995 est.)Republic of TunisiaTunisiaAl Jumhuriyah at TunisiyahTunisrepublicTunis23 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), El Kef (Al Kaf), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan)20 March 1956 (from France)Independence Day, 20 March (1956)1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session20 years of age; universalPresident Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987)Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a third term without opposition; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI nearly 100%unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (182 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - RCD 92%; seats by party - RCD 148, MDS 13, UDU 7, PUP 7, Al-Tajdid 5, PSL 2; note - reforms enabled opposition parties to win up to 20% of seats; the opposition increased number of seats from 19 to 34Court of Cassation or Cour de CassationAl-Tajdid Movement [Adel CHAOUCH]; Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD [President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (official ruling party)]; Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mounir BEJI]; Movement of Democratic Socialists or MDS [Khamis CHAMMARI]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed Belhaj AMOR]; Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Abderrahmane TLILI]the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawedABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Hatem ATALLAH 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 862-1850 Ambassador Rust DEMMING 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere use embassy street address [216] (1) 782-566 [216] (1) 789-719red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam Tunisia EconomyTunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Real growth averaged 5.5% in the past four years, and inflation is slowing. Growth in tourism and increased trade have been key elements in this steady growth. Tunisia s association agreement with the European Union entered into force on 1 March 1998, the first such accord between the EU and Mediterranean countries to be activated. Under the agreement Tunisia will gradually remove barriers to trade with the EU over the next decade. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, and improvements in government efficiency are among the challenges for the future.purchasing power parity - $62.8 billion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2000 est.)14%32%54% (1999 est.)6% (2000 est.)2.3%30.7% (1990)3% (2000 est.)2.65 million (2000 est.) note- shortage of skilled laborservices 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)15.6% (2000 est.)$7.5 billion$8.1 billion, including capital expenditures to $1.6 billion (2000 est.)petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages4.1% (2000 est.)9.173 billion kWh (1999)99.2%0.8%0% 0% (1999)8.677 billion kWh (1999)19 million kWh (1999)165 million kWh (1999)olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds$6.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbonsGermany 28%, France 22%, Italy 17%, Belgium 5%, Libya 4% (1999)$8.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodFrance 23%, Germany 23%, Italy 15%, Belgium 3% (1999)$13 billion (2000 est.)$933.2 million (1995); note - ODA, $90 million (1998 est.)Tunisian dinar (TND)TNDTunisian dinars per US dollar - 1.3753 (January 2001), 1.4667 (November 2000), 1.1862 (1999), 1.1387 (1998), 1.1059 (1997), 0.9734 (1996)calendar year Tunisia Communications654,000 (1997)50,000 (1998) above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access available trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; two international gateway digital switchesAM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998)2.06 million (1997)26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995)920,000 (1997).tn1 (2000)110,000 (2000)2,168 km471 km 1.435-m gauge1,687 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge- 10 km 1.000-m and 1.435-m gauges (three rails)23,100 km18,226 km4,874 km (1996)nonecrude oil 797 km; petroleum products 86 km; natural gas 742 kmBizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 149,554 GRT/156,861 DWTbulk 2, cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)32 (2000 est.) 15 3 6 3 3 (2000 est.) 17 2 8 7 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard20 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,739,566 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,561,484 (2001 est.)males- 105,146 (2001 est.)$356 million (FY99)1.5% (FY99)international- noneTurkeyTurkey was created in 1923 from the Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon thereafter the country instituted secular laws to replace traditional religious fiats. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. Turkey occupied the northern portion of Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island; relations between the two countries remain strained. Periodic military offensives against Kurdish separatists have dislocated part of the population in southeast Turkey and have drawn international condemnation.southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria39 00 N, 35 00 EMiddle East780,580 sq km770,760 sq km9,820 sq kmslightly larger than Texastotal- 2,627 kmArmenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km7,200 kmin Black Sea only- to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR6 NM in the Aegean Sea; 12 NM in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Seatemperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interiormostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central plateau (Anatolia)Mediterranean Sea 0 mMount Ararat 5,166 mantimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore, arable land, hydropower32%4%16%26%22% (1993 est.)36,740 sq km (1993 est.)very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Vanwater pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship trafficAir Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAntarctic-Environmental Protocol, Environmental Modificationstrategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas66,493,970 (July 2001 est.) 28.42% (male 9,620,291; female 9,276,347) 65.45% (male 22,116,599; female 21,401,165) 6.13% (male 1,878,571; female 2,200,997) (2001 est.)1.24% (2001 est.)18.31 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.95 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)47.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 71.24 years 68.89 years 73.71 years (2001 est.)2.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)NANATurk(s)TurkishTurkish 80%, Kurdish 20%Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (Christian and Jews)Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek age 15 and over can read and write 85% 94% 77% (2000)Republic of TurkeyTurkeyTurkiye CumhuriyetiTurkiyerepublican parliamentary democracyAnkara80 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak; note - there may be another province called Duzce29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)Independence Day, 29 October (1923)7 November 1982derived from various European continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident Ahmed Necdet SEZER (since 16 May 2000)Prime Minister Bulent ECEVIT (since 11 January 1999)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister note- there is also a National Security Council that serves as an advisory body to the president and the cabinet president elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next scheduled to be held NA May 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the third ballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60% note- president must have a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the third ballotunicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 18 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - DSP 136, MHP 130, FP 110, DYP 86, ANAP 88; note - as of 7 March 2000 seating was DSP 136, MHP 127, FP 103, DYP 85, ANAP 88 independents 6, vacancies 5Constitutional Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeals (judges are elected by the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors)Democratic Left Party or DSP [Bulent ECEVIT]; Motherland Party or ANAP [Mesut YILMAZ]; Nationalist Action Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]; True Path Party or DYP [Tansu CILLER]; Virtue Party or FP [Recai KUTAN]; note - in June 2001, Turkey s Constitutional Court banned the party; its representatives (except for two) can stay on in the Grand National Assembly as independents note- Welfare Party or RP [Necmettin ERBAKAN] was officially outlawed on 22 February 1998Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Ridvan BUDAK]; Independent Industrialists and Businessmen s Association or MUSIAD [Erol YARAR]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen s Association or TUSIAD [Muharrem KAYHAN]; Turkish Confederation of Employers Unions or TISK [Refik BAYDUR]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Bayram MERAL]; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [Fuat MIRAS]AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UPU, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Baki ILKIN 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 612-6700 [1] (202) 612-6744 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York Ambassador Robert PEARSON Ataturk Bulvarii 110, Ankara PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 [90] (312) 468-6110 [90] (312) 467-0019 Istanbul (closed as of December 2000 for security review) consulate(s)- Adana (closed as of December 2000 for security review)red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening Turkey EconomyTurkey s dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with traditional agriculture that still accounts for nearly 40% of employment. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The most important industry - and largest exporter - is textiles and clothing, which is almost entirely in private hands. In recent years the economic situation has been marked by erratic economic growth and serious imbalances. Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in most years, but this strong expansion was interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994 and 1999. Meanwhile the public sector fiscal deficit has regularly exceeded 10% of GDP - due in large part to the huge burden of interest payments, which now account for more than 40% of central government spending - while inflation has remained in the high double digit range. Perhaps because of these problems, foreign direct investment in Turkey remains low - less than $1 billion annually. Prospects for the future are improving, however, because the ECEVIT government since June 1999 has been implementing an IMF-backed reform program, including a tighter budget, social security reform, banking reorganization, and accelerated privatization. As a result, the fiscal situation is greatly improved and inflation has dropped below 40% - the lowest rate since 1987. The country experienced a financial crisis in late 2000, including sharp drops in the stock market and foreign exchange reserves, but is recovering rapidly, thanks to additional IMF support and the government s commitment to a specific timetable of economic reforms.purchasing power parity - $444 billion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2000 est.)15%29%56% (1999)NA%2.3%32.3% (1994)39% (2000 est.)23 million (2000 est.) note- about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (1999)agriculture 38%, services 38%, industry 24% (2000)5.6% (plus underemployment of 5.6%) (2000 est.)$54.5 billion$75.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.3 billion (2000)textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper6.2% (2000 est.)125.3 billion kWh (2000 est.)71%29%0% 0% (2000 est.)119.5 billion kWh (2000 est.)350 million kWh (2000 est.)3.35 billion kWh (2000 est.)tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestock$26.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)apparel 25.6%, foodstuffs 15.4%, textiles 12.3%, metal manufactures 8.6%, transport equipment 8.1% (1998)Germany 18.7%, US 11.4%, UK 7.4%, Italy 6.3%, France 6.0% (2000 est.)$55.7 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)machinery 28.3%, chemicals 15.2%, semi-finished goods 14.5%, fuels 11%, transport equipment 9.5% (1999)Germany 13.1%, Italy 7.9%, US 7.2%, Russia 7.0%, France 6.6%, UK 5.0% (2000 est.)$109 billion (2000 est.)ODA, $195 million (1993)Turkish lira (TRL)TRLTurkish liras per US dollar - 677,621 (December 2000), 625,219 (2000), 418,783 (1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997), 81,405 (1996)calendar year Turkey Communications19.5 million (1999)12.1 million (1999) undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially cellular telephones additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; the number of subscribers to mobile cellular telephone service is growing rapidly international service is provided by three submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, linking Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia, by 12 Intelsat earth stations, and by 328 mobile satellite terminals in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systemsAM 16, FM 72, shortwave 6 (1998)11.3 million (1997)635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995)20.9 million (1997).tr22 (2000)2 million (2000)8,607 km8,607 km 1.435-m gauge (1,524 km electrified) (1999)382,059 km106,976 km (including 1,726 km of expressways)275,083 km (1999 est.)1,200 km (approximately)crude oil 1,738 km; petroleum products 2,321 km; natural gas 708 kmGemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Icel (Mersin), Samsun, Trabzon548 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,617,302 GRT/9,088,451 DWTbulk 140, cargo 242, chemical tanker 41, combination bulk 5, combination ore/oil 6, container 21, liquefied gas 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 43, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 25, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker 5 (2000 est.)121 (2000 est.) 86 16 29 19 16 6 (2000 est.) 35 1 8 26 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Land Force, Navy (includes Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie20 years of agemales age 15-49- 18,882,272 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 11,432,438 (2001 est.)males- 674,805 (2001 est.)$10.6 billion (FY99)5.6% (FY99)international- complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Greece; dispute with downstream riparian states (Syria and Iraq) over water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsidedkey transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and - to a far lesser extent the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrateTurkmenistanAnnexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1925. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects can be worked out.Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan40 00 N, 60 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States488,100 sq km488,100 sq km0 sq kmslightly larger than Californiatotal- 3,736 kmAfghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)none (landlocked)subtropical desertflat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in westVpadina Akchanaya -81.00 m; note - Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m)Gora Ayribaba 3,139 mpetroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt3%0%63%8%26% (1993 est.)13,000 sq km (1993 est.)NAcontamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water-logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river s inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementslandlocked4,603,244 (July 2001 est.) 37.88% (male 891,758; female 852,104) 58.09% (male 1,313,303; female 1,360,690) 4.03% (male 70,800; female 114,589) (2001 est.)1.85% (2001 est.)28.55 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.98 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.62 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)73.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 61 years 57.43 years 64.76 years (2001 est.)3.58 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Turkmen(s)TurkmenTurkmen 77%, Uzbek 9.2%, Russian 6.7%, Kazakh 2%, other 5.1% (1995)Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99% 97% (1989 est.)noneTurkmenistannoneTurkmenistanTurkmen Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicAshgabat5 welayatlar (singular - welayat)- Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty (formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty (Charjew), Mary Welayaty note- administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)Independence Day, 27 October (1991)adopted 18 May 1992based on civil law system18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president note- NIYAZOV s term in office was extended indefinitely on 28 December 1999 by the Assembly (Majlis) during a session of the People s Council (Halk Maslahaty) president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1992 (next scheduled to be held NA); note - President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life by the Assembly on 28 December 1999); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People s Council or Halk Maslahaty (more than 100 seats, some of which are elected by popular vote and some of which are appointed; meets infrequently) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) People s Council - NA; Assembly - last held 12 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - all 50 elected officials preapproved by President NIYAZOV; most are from the DPTSupreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Saparmurat NIYAZOV] note- formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countriesNAAsDB, CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Mered ORAZOV 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-1500 [1] (202) 588-0697 Ambassador Steven R. MANN 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 774000 use embassy street address [9] (9312) 35-00-45 [9] (9312) 51-13-05green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive branches on the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe Turkmenistan EconomyTurkmenistan is largely desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and huge gas (fifth largest reserves in the world) and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton, making it the world s tenth largest producer. Until the end of 1993, Turkmenistan had experienced less economic disruption than other former Soviet states because its economy received a boost from higher prices for oil and gas and a sharp increase in hard currency earnings. In 1994, Russia s refusal to export Turkmen gas to hard currency markets and mounting debts of its major customers in the former USSR for gas deliveries contributed to a sharp fall in industrial production and caused the budget to shift from a surplus to a slight deficit. With an authoritarian ex-communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In 1998-2000, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose sharply because of higher international oil and gas prices. Prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty and the burden of foreign debt. IMF assistance would seem to be necessary, yet the government is not as yet ready to accept IMF requirements. Turkmenistan s 1999 deal to ship 20 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas through Russia s Gazprom pipeline helped alleviate the 2000 fiscal shortfall. Inadequate fiscal restraint and the tenuous nature of Turkmenistan s 2001 gas deals, combined with a lack of economic reform, will limit progress in the near term.purchasing power parity - $19.6 billion (2000 est.)16% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2000 est.)25%43%32% (1999 est.)58% (1999 est.)2.6%31.7% (1998)14% (2000 est.)2.34 million (1996)agriculture 44%, industry 19%, services 37% (1996)NA%$588.6 million$658.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing18% (2000 est.)8.371 billion kWh (1999)99.94%0.06%0% 0% (1999)4.785 billion kWh (1999)4.1 billion kWh (1999)1.1 billion kWh (1999)cotton, grain; livestock$2.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)gas 33%, oil 30%, cotton fiber 18%, textiles 8% (1999)Ukraine, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan$1.65 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment 60%, foodstuffs 15% (1999)Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Germany, US, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan$2.5 billion (2000 est.)$27.2 million (1995)Turkmen manat (TMM)TMMTurkmen manats per US dollar - 5,200 (January 2001), 5,200 (January 2000), 5,350 (January 1999), 4,070 (January 1997), 2,400 (January 1996)calendar year Turkmenistan Communications363,000 (1997)4,300 (1998) poorly developed NA linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 IntelsatAM 16, FM 8, shortwave 2 (1998)1.225 million (1997)3 (much programming relayed from Russia and Turkey) (1997)820,000 (1997).tmNA2,000 (2000)2,187 km broad gauge- 2,187 km 1.520-m gauge (1996 est.)22,000 km18,000 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)4,000 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1996)the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway for Turkmenistancrude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,400 kmTurkmenbashi1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,459 GRT/8,865 DWTcontainer 1 (2000 est.)76 (2000 est.) 13 9 4 (2000 est.) 63 7 5 10 41 (2000 est.)Ministry of Defense (Army, Air and Air Defense, Navy, Border Troops, and Internal Troops), National Guard18 years of agemales age 15-49- 1,173,500 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 952,218 (2001 est.)males- 48,292 (2001 est.)$90 million (FY99)3.4% (FY99)international- Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistanlimited illicit cultivator of opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia and Western Europe; also a transshipment point for acetic anhydride destined for AfghanistanTurks and Caicos IslandsThe islands were part of the UK s Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica s independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands are presently a British overseas territory.Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas21 45 N, 71 35 WCentral America and the Caribbean430 sq km430 sq km0 sq km2.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km389 kmexclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMtropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively drylow, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swampsCaribbean Sea 0 mBlue Hills 49 mspiny lobster, conch2%0%0%0%98% (1993 est.)NA sq kmfrequent hurricaneslimited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater30 islands (eight inhabited)18,122 (July 2001 est.) 32.58% (male 2,996; female 2,908) 63.51% (male 6,050; female 5,459) 3.91% (male 316; female 393) (2001 est.)3.41% (2001 est.)24.89 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.47 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)13.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.11 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)18.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.52 years 71.37 years 75.77 years (2001 est.)3.22 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAnonenoneblackBaptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980)English (official) age 15 and over has ever attended school 98% 99% 98% (1970 est.)noneTurks and Caicos Islandsoverseas territory of the UKNACockburn Town (on Grand Turk)none (overseas territory of the UK)none (overseas territory of the UK)Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988based on laws of England and Wales, with a small number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas18 years of age; universalexclusive fishing zone- 200 NMQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Mervyn JONES (since 27 January 2000)Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January 1995)Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governorunicameral Legislative Council (19 seats, of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms) last held 4 March 1999 (next to be held by NA 2003) percent of vote by party - PDM 52.2%, PNP 40.9%, independent 6.9%; seats by party - PDM 9, PNP 4Supreme CourtPeople s Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Wendal SWANN]NACaricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau)blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus Turks and Caicos Islands EconomyThe Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US was the leading source of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000 visitors; tourist arrivals had risen to 93,000 by 1998. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.purchasing power parity - $128 million (1999 est.)8.7% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,300 (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%4% (1995)4,848 (1990 est.)about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services (1997 est.)10% (1997 est.)$47 million$33.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997-1998 est.)tourism, offshore financial servicesNA%5 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)4.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish$4.7 million (1993)lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shellsUS, UK$46.6 million (1993)food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materialsUS, UK$NA$4.1 million (1997)US dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is usedcalendar year Turks and Caicos Islands Communications3,000 (1994)0 (1994) fair cable and radiotelephone services NA 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 3 (one inactive), FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)8,000 (1997)0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; cable television is established) (1997)NA.tc14 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km121 km24 km97 km (2000)noneGrand Turk, Providenciales Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)8 (2000 est.) 4 3 1 (2000 est.) 4 2 2 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the UKinternational- nonetransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and EuropeTuvaluIn 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years.Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia8 00 S, 178 00 EOceania26 sq km26 sq km0 sq km0.1 times the size of Washington, DC0 km24 km24 NM200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)very low-lying and narrow coral atollsPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 5 mfish0%0%0%0%100% (1993 est.)NA sq kmsevere tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea levelsince there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country s underground water tableClimate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship PollutionBiodiversity, Law of the Sea10,991 (July 2001 est.) 33.28% (male 1,862; female 1,796) 61.6% (male 3,241; female 3,529) 5.12% (male 236; female 327) (2001 est.)1.4% (2001 est.)21.56 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)7.55 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)22.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 66.65 years 64.52 years 68.88 years (2001 est.)3.09 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANATuvaluan(s)TuvaluanPolynesian 96%Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha i 1%, other 0.6%Tuvaluan, English NA NA% NA% NA%noneTuvaluEllice Islandsconstitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992Funafutinone1 October 1978 (from UK)Independence Day, 1 October (1978)1 October 1978NA18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Tomasi PUAPUA (since 26 June 1998)Acting Prime Minister Lagitupu (of Nanumea) TUILIMU (since 8 December 2000); note - TUILIMU took over after Prime Minister Ionatana IONATANA died suddenly of a heart attack on 8 December 2000Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 27 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2002) results of the last election for prime minister - Ionatana IONATANA elected prime minister; percent of Parliament vote - NA%; Lagitupu (of Nanumea) TUILIMU elected deputy prime minister; percent of Parliament vote - NA%; note - Deputy Prime Minister Lagitupu (of Nanumea) TUILIMU became acting prime minister following the death of Prime Minister Ionatana IONATANA on 8 December 2000unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (12 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 26-27 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002) percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 12High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction)there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupingsnoneACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant)light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands Tuvalu EconomyTuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. About 1,000 Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate mining industry. Nauru has begun repatriating Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources decline. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this Fund has grown from an initial $17 million to over $35 million in 1999. The US government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu, with 1999 payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries at about $9 million, a total which is expected to rise annually. In an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign aid, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts of up to 7%. In 1998, Tuvalu began deriving revenue from use of its area code for "900" lines and in 2000, from the sale of its ".tv" Internet domain name. Royalties from these new technology sources could raise GDP three or more times over the next decade. In 1999, with merchandise exports falling and financing reaching less than 5% of imports, continued reliance was placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and investment income from overseas assets to cover the trade deficit.purchasing power parity - $11.6 million (1999 est.)3% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,100 (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%7% (1999 est.)NApeople make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those working abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)NA%$6.2 million$6.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)fishing, tourism, copraNA%NA%NA%NA% NA%coconuts; fish$165,000 (f.o.b., 1989)copraFiji, Australia, NZ$4.4 million (c.i.f., 1989)food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goodsFiji, Australia, NZ$NA$13 million (1999 est.); note - major donors are Japan and AustraliaAustralian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollarAUDTuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)calendar year Tuvalu Communications1,000 (1997)0 (1994) serves particular needs for internal communications radiotelephone communications between islands NAAM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)4,000 (1997)0 (1997)800.tv1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km8 km0 km8 km (1996)noneFunafuti, Nukufetau9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 52,135 GRT/68,300 DWTcargo 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.)no regular military forces; Police Force includes Maritime Surveillance Unit for search and rescue missions and surveillance operations$NANA%international- noneUgandaUganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections.Eastern Africa, west of Kenya1 00 N, 32 00 EAfrica236,040 sq km199,710 sq km36,330 sq kmslightly smaller than Oregontotal- 2,698 kmDemocratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeastmostly plateau with rim of mountainsLake Albert 621 mMargherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 mcopper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land25%9%9%28%29% (1993 est.)90 sq km (1993 est.)NAdraining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; poaching is widespreadBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsEnvironmental Modificationlandlocked23,985,712 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 51.08% (male 6,150,038; female 6,100,880) 46.78% (male 5,613,499; female 5,607,526) 2.14% (male 244,216; female 269,553) (2001 est.)2.93% (2001 est.)47.52 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)17.97 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- according to the UNHCR, by the end of 1999, Uganda was host to 218,000 refugees from a number of neighboring countries, including- Sudan 200,600, Rwanda 8,000, and Democratic Republic of the Congo 8,000 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)91.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 43.37 years 42.59 years 44.17 years (2001 est.)6.88 children born/woman (2001 est.)8.3% (1999 est.)820,000 (1999 est.)110,000 (1999 est.)Ugandan(s)UgandanBaganda 17%, Karamojong 12%, Basogo 8%, Iteso 8%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Bunyoro 3%, Batoro 3%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 23%Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18%English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic age 15 and over can read and write 61.8% 73.7% 50.2% (1995 est.)Republic of UgandaUgandarepublicKampala45 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Soroti, Tororo9 October 1962 (from UK)Independence Day, 9 October (1962)8 October 1995; adopted by the interim, 284-member Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was dissolved upon the promulgation of the constitution in October 1995in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 29 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of governmentPresident Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinetCabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note - first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was held in 1996; prime minister appointed by the president Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 27.8%unicameral National Assembly (276 members - 214 directly elected by popular vote, 62 nominated by legally established special interest groups and approved by the president - women 39, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 3; members serve five-year terms) last held 27 June 1996 (next to be held May or June 2001); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - election campaigning by party was not permittedCourt of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president)only one political organization, the National Resistance Movement or NRM [President MUSEVENI, chairman] is allowed to operate unfettered; note - the president maintains that the NRM is not a political party, but a movement which claims the loyalty of all Ugandans note- the new constitution requires the suspension of political parties while the Movement system is in governanace; of the political parties that exist but are prohibited from sponsoring candidates, the most important are the Ugandan People s Congress or UPC [Milton OBOTE]; Democratic Party or DP [Paul SSEMOGERERE]; Conservative Party or CP [Joshua S. MAYANJA-NKANGI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Edith Grace SSEMPALA 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 [1] (202) 726-1727 Ambassador Martin G. BRENNAN Parliament Avenue, Kampala P. O. Box 7007, Kampala [256] (41) 259792, 259793, 259795 [256] (41) 259794six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side Uganda EconomyUganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee is the major export crop and accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. In 1990-2000, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Ongoing Ugandan involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, corruption within the government, and slippage in the government s determination to press reforms raise doubts about the continuation of strong growth. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced HIPC debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original Highly Indebted Poor Countries HIPC debt relief add up to about $2 billion. Growth for 2001 should be somewhat lower than in 2000, because of a decline in the price of coffee, Uganda s principal export.purchasing power parity - $26.2 billion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)43%17%40% (1998 est.)55% (1993 est.)3%33.4% (1992)6.5% (2000)8.361 million (1993 est.)agriculture 82%, industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.)NA%$959 million$1.04 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement7% (1999)1.326 billion kWh (1999)0.98%99.02%0% 0% (1999)1.06 billion kWh (1999)174 million kWh (1999)1 million kWh (1999)coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry$500.1 million (f.o.b., 1999)coffee, fish and fish products, tea; electrical products, iron and steelSpain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Kenya (1999)$1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999)vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cerealsKenya 27.5%, US 21.2%, France 19.3, UK 5%, India 4% (1999)$3.6 billion (2000 est.)$1.4 billion (2000)Ugandan shilling (UGX)UGXUgandan shillings per US dollar - 1,700 (February 2001), 1,830.4 (January 2001), 1,644.5 (2000), 1,454.8 (1999), 1,240.2 (1998), 1,083.0 (1997), 1,046.1 (1996)1 July - 30 June Uganda Communications50,074; however, 80,868 main lines were installed (1998)9,000 (1998) seriously inadequate; two cellular systems have been introduced, but a sharp increase in the number of main lines is essential; e-mail and Internet services are available intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile cellular systems for short range traffic satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and TanzaniaAM 19, FM 4, shortwave 5 (1998)2.6 million (1997)8 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999)315,000 (1997).ug2 (2000)25,000 (2000)1,241 km1,241 km 1.000-m gauge note- a program to rehabilitate the railroad is underway (1995)27,000 km1,800 km25,200 km (of which about 4200 km are all-weather roads) (1990)Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward, Victoria Nile, Albert NileEntebbe, Jinja, Port Bell3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,091 GRT/8,229 DWTroll on/roll off note- these ships are in cargo and passenger service on Uganda s inland waterways (2000 est.)28 (2000 est.) 4 3 1 (2000 est.) 24 1 6 9 8 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)Army, Air Wing, Marine Unitmales age 15-49- 5,118,755 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,778,457 (2001 est.)$95 million (FY98/99)1.9% (FY98/99)international- the Ugandan military is deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo in support of rebel forces in that country s civil war; a resurvey of the latitudinal boundary with Tanzania in 2000 revealed a 300-meter discrepancy that both sides are currently adjudicatingUkraineRichly endowed in natural resources, Ukraine has been fought over and subjugated for centuries; its 20th-century struggle for liberty is not yet complete. A short-lived independence from Russia (1917-1920) was followed by brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died, and World War II, in which German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 million more deaths. Although independence was attained in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, true freedom remains elusive as many of the former Soviet elite remain entrenched, stalling efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civic liberties.Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and Russia49 00 N, 32 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States603,700 sq km603,700 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Texastotal- 4,558 kmBelarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km2,782 km200-m or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtemperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the southmost of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme southBlack Sea 0 mHora Hoverla 2,061 miron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land58%2%13%18%9% (1993 est.)26,050 sq km (1993 est.)NAinadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl Nuclear Power PlantAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocolstrategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe48,760,474 (July 2001 est.) 17.3% (male 4,310,158; female 4,127,677) 68.57% (male 15,965,079; female 17,468,035) 14.13% (male 2,275,004; female 4,614,521) (2001 est.)-0.78% (2001 est.)9.31 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)16.43 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.49 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female (2001 est.)21.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 66.15 years 60.62 years 71.96 years (2001 est.)1.29 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.96% (1999 est.)240,000 (1999 est.)4,000 (1999 est.)Ukrainian(s)UkrainianUkrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%, other 4%Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, JewishUkrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian age 15 and over can read and write 98% 100% 97% (1989 est.)noneUkrainenoneUkrayinaUkrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist RepublicrepublicKiev (Kyyiv)24 oblasti (singular - oblast ), 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkas ka (Cherkasy), Chernihivs ka (Chernihiv), Chernivets ka (Chernivtsi), Dnipropetrovs ka (Dnipropetrovs k), Donets ka (Donets k), Ivano-Frankivs ka (Ivano-Frankivs k), Kharkivs ka (Kharkiv), Khersons ka (Kherson), Khmel nyts ka (Khmel nyts kyy), Kirovohrads ka (Kirovohrad), Kyyiv**, Kyyivs ka (Kiev), Luhans ka (Luhans k), L vivs ka (L viv), Mykolayivs ka (Mykolayiv), Odes ka (Odesa), Poltavs ka (Poltava), Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol ), Rivnens ka (Rivne), Sevastopol **, Sums ka (Sumy), Ternopil s ka (Ternopil ), Vinnyts ka (Vinnytsya), Volyns ka (Luts k), Zakarpats ka (Uzhhorod), Zaporiz ka (Zaporizhzhya), Zhytomyrs ka (Zhytomyr); note - when using a place name with an adjectival ending s ka or z ka, the word Oblast should be added to the place name note- oblasts have the administrative center name following in parentheses24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 24 August (1991)adopted 28 June 1996based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts18 years of age; universalPresident Leonid D. KUCHMA (since 19 July 1994)Prime Minister Anatoliy KINAKH (since 29 May 2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Oleh DUBYNA (since 29 May 2001)Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council note- there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, but significantly revamped and strengthened under President KUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Administration that helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president; and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory body created by President KUCHMA in September 1994 that includes chairmen of the Kyyiv (Kiev) and Sevastopol municipalities and chairmen of the oblasti president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 October and 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council Leonid D. KUCHMA elected president; percent of vote - Leonid KUCHMA 57.7%, Petro SYMONENKO 38.8%unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats; under Ukraine s new election law, half of the Supreme Council s seats are allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 4% or more of the national electoral vote; the other 225 members are elected by popular vote in single-mandate constituencies; all serve four-year terms) last held 29 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party (for parties clearing 4% hurdle on 29 March 1998) - Communist Party 24.7%, Rukh (combined) 9.4%, SPU/SelPU 8.6%, PZU 5.3%, People s Democratic Party 5.0%, Hromada Party 4.7%, Progressive Socialist Party 4.0%, United Social Democratic Party 4.0%; seats by party (as of 25 February 2000) - Communist Party 115, PRVU 36, Fatherland Party 35, United Social Democratic Party 34, People s Democratic Party 27, Trudova Ukrayina Party 27, Rukh K 27, left-center 23, PZU 18, Rukh U 17, SelPU 15, Hromada Party 14, Reforms-Congress 12, independents 14, unaffiliated 31, vacant 5Supreme Court; Constitutional CourtCommunist Party of Ukraine [Petro SYMONENKO]; Fatherland (Motherland) All Ukrainian Party [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO, chairperson]; Green Party of Ukraine or PZU [Vitaliy KONONOV, chairman]; Hromada [Pavlo LAZARENKO]; Party of Regional Revival of Ukraine or PRVU [Volodymyr RYBAK]; Peasant Party of Ukraine or SelPU [Serhiy DOVHAN]; People s Democratic Party [Valeriy PUSTOVOYTENKO, chairman]; People s Movement of Ukraine or Rukh U [Hennadiy UDOVENKO, chairman]; Progressive Socialist Party [Nataliya VITRENKO]; Reforms and Order Party/Reforms-Congress [Viktor PYNZENYK]; Socialist Party of Ukraine or SPU [Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman]; Solidarity [leader NA]; Trudova Ukrayina/Working Ukraine [Igor SHAROV, chairman]; Ukrainian Popular Movement or Rukh K [Yuriy KOSTENKO, chairman]; United Social Democratic Party of Ukraine [Viktor MEDVEDCHUK] note- and numerous smaller partiesNABSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer), ZC Ambassador Konstantin Ivanovych HRYSHCHENKO 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 333-0606 [1] (202) 333-0817 Chicago and New York Ambassador Carlos PASCUAL 10 Yuria Kotsubynskoho, 254053 Kiev 53 use embassy street address [380] (44) 490-4000 [380] (44) 244-7350two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow represent grainfields under a blue sky Ukraine EconomyAfter Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements. Shortly after independence in late 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output in 1992-99 fell to less than 40% the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine s dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Now in his second term, President KUCHMA has pledged to reduce the number of government agencies and streamline the regulation process, create a legal environment to encourage entrepreneurs and protect ownership rights, and enact a comprehensive tax overhaul. Reforms in the more politically sensitive areas of structural reform and land privatization are still lagging. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms and have threatened to withdraw financial support. GDP in 2000 showed strong export-based growth of 6% - the first growth since independence - and industrial production grew 12.9%. As the capacity for further export-based economic expansion diminishes, GDP growth in 2001 is likely to decline to around 3%.purchasing power parity - $189.4 billion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $3,850 (2000 est.)12%26%62% (1998 est.)50% (1999 est.)3.9%26.4% (1996)25.8% (2000 est.)22.8 million (yearend 1997)industry 32%, agriculture 24%, services 44% (1996)4.3% officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers (December 1999)$8.3 billion$8.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar)12.9% (2000 est.)157.823 billion kWh (1999)47.67%9.65%42.67% 0.01% (1999)146.675 billion kWh (1999)2.3 billion kWh (1999)2.2 billion kWh (1999)grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk$14.6 billion (2000 est.)ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products, machinery and transport equipment, food productsRussia 24%, Europe 30%, US 5% (2000 est.)$15 billion (2000 est.)energy, machinery and parts, transportation equipment, chemicalsRussia 42%, Europe 29%, US 3% (2000 est.)$10.3 billion (2000)$637.7 million (1995); IMF Extended Funds Facility $2.2 billion (1998)hryvnia (UAH)UAHhryvnia per US dollar - 5.4331 (January 2001), 5.4402 (2000), 4.1304 (1999), 2.4495 (1998), 1.8617 (1997), 1.8295 (1996)calendar year Ukraine Communications9.45 million (April 1999)236,000 (1998) Ukraine s telecommunication development plan, running through 2005, emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines, international connections, and the mobile cellular system at independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair; more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; telephone density is now rising slowly and the domestic trunk system is being improved; the mobile cellular telephone system is expanding at a high rate two new domestic trunk lines are a part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system and three Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic Trans-European Lines (TEL) project which connects 18 countries; additional international service is provided by the Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and by earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik satellite systemsAM 134, FM 289, shortwave 4 (1998)45.05 million (1997)at least 33 (plus 21 repeaters that relay broadcasts from Russia) (1997)18.05 million (1997).ua32 (2000)200,000 (2000)23,350 km broad gauge- 23,350 km 1.524-m gauge (8,600 km electrified)273,700 km236,400 km (including 1,770 km of expressways); note - (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)37,300 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)4,499 km note- (1,672 km are on the Pryp yat and Dnistr) (1990)crude oil 4,000 km (1995); petroleum products 4,500 km (1995); natural gas 34,400 km (1998)Berdyans k, Illichivs k, Izmayil, Kerch, Kherson, Kiev (Kyyiv), Mariupol , Mykolayiv, Odesa, Reni, Sevastopol 156 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 757,582 GRT/841,755 DWTbulk 8, cargo 110, container 3, liquefied gas 2, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 14, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 2 (2000 est.)718 (2000 est.) 114 14 50 21 3 26 (2000 est.) 604 13 37 52 45 457 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Internal Troops, Border Troops18 years of agemales age 15-49- 12,285,623 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 9,630,184 (2001 est.)males- 390,823 (2001 est.)$500 million (FY99)1.4% (FY99)international- has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nationlimited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and Turkey, and to Europe and Russia; drug-related money laundering a minor, but growing, problemUnited Arab EmiratesThe Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the UAE. They were joined in 1972 by Ra s al Khaymah. The UAE s per capita GDP is not far below those of the leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed it to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia24 00 N, 54 00 EMiddle East82,880 sq km82,880 sq km0 sq kmslightly smaller than Mainetotal- 867 kmOman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km1,318 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMdesert; cooler in eastern mountainsflat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in eastPersian Gulf 0 mJabal Yibir 1,527 mpetroleum, natural gas0%0%2%0%98% (1993 est.)50 sq km (1993 est.)frequent sand and dust stormslack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spillsBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer ProtectionLaw of the Seastrategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil2,407,460 note- includes 1,576,472 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) 28.86% (male 354,298; female 340,498) 68.74% (male 1,047,839; female 607,020) 2.4% (male 40,626; female 17,179) (2001 est.)1.59% (2001 est.)18.11 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.79 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.73 male(s)/female 2.36 male(s)/female 1.5 male(s)/female (2001 est.)16.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 74.29 years 71.84 years 76.86 years (2001 est.)3.23 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.18% (1999 est.)NANAEmirati(s)EmiratiEmirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note- less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)Muslim 96% (Shi a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu age 15 and over can read and write 79.2% 78.9% 79.8% (1995 est.)United Arab EmiratesnoneAl Imarat al Arabiyah al MuttahidahnoneTrucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation- UAEfederation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emiratesAbu Dhabi7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra s al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn2 December 1971 (from UK)Independence Day, 2 December (1971)2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra s al Khaymah have joined the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courtsnonePresident ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990)Council of Ministers appointed by the president note- there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) which is composed of the seven emirate rulers; the council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power; meets four times a year president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held NA October 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president; percent of FSC vote - NA, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimousunicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms) none note- reviews legislation, but cannot change or vetoUnion Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)noneNAABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI Suite 700, 1255 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 955-7999 Ambassador Theodore H. KATTOUF Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; American Embassy Abu Dhabi, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6010 (pouch); note - work week is Saturday through Wednesday [971] (2) 4436691 [971] (2) 4435441 Dubaithree equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side United Arab Emirates EconomyThe UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. Despite higher oil revenues in 1999-2000, the government has not drawn back from the economic reforms implemented during the 1998 oil price depression. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private-sector involvement.purchasing power parity - $54 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $22,800 (2000 est.)3%52%45% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%4.5% (2000 est.)1.4 million (1998 est.) note- 75% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)services 60%, industry 32%, agriculture 8% (1996 est.)NA%$6.5 billion$7.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling4% (2000)36.7 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)34.131 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish$46 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, datesJapan 30%, India 7%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 4%, Oman, Iran (1999)$34 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodJapan 9%, US 8%, UK 8%, Italy 6%, Germany, South Korea (1999)$12.6 billion (2000 est.)$NAEmirati dirham (AED)AEDEmirati dirhams per US dollar - central bank mid-point rate- 3.6725 (since 1998); 3.6711 (1997), 3.6710 (1995-96)calendar year United Arab Emirates Communications915,223 (1998)1 million (1999) modern system consisting of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai microwave radio relay and coaxial cable satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi ArabiaAM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998)820,000 (1997)15 (1997)310,000 (1997).ae1 (2000)400,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km4,835 km4,835 km0 km (1998 est.)nonecrude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 km Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina Jabal Ali, Mina Khalid, Mina Rashid, Mina Saqr, Mina Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn70 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,094,256 GRT/1,421,333 DWTcargo 16, chemical tanker 3, container 17, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)40 (2000 est.) 22 8 3 4 3 4 (2000 est.) 18 1 1 4 9 3 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary (includes Federal Police Force)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 778,842 note- includes non-nationals (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 420,484 (2001 est.)males- 25,482 (2001 est.)$1.6 billion (FY00)3.1% (FY00)international- location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; boundary with Oman has not been bilaterally defined; northern section in the Musandam Peninsula is an administrative boundary; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran- Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island; the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in protesting these Iranian actionsgrowing role as heroin transshipment and money-laundering center due to its proximity to southwest Asian producing countries and the bustling free trade zone in DubaiUnited KingdomGreat Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth s surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK s strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside of the European Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. Regional assemblies with varying degrees of power opened in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 1999.Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France54 00 N, 2 00 WEurope244,820 sq km241,590 sq km3,230 sq km note- includes Rockall and Shetland Islandsslightly smaller than Oregontotal- 360 kmIreland 360 km12,429 kmas defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM12 NMtemperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcastmostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeastFenland -4 mBen Nevis 1,343 mcoal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica, arable land25%0%46%10%19% (1993 est.)1,080 sq km (1993 est.)NAcontinues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has meet Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and hopes to reduce even more); small particulate emissions, largely from vehicular traffic, remain a problem; solid waste continues to rise and recycling is very limitedAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocollies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters59,647,790 (July 2001 est.) 18.89% (male 5,778,415; female 5,486,114) 65.41% (male 19,712,932; female 19,304,771) 15.7% (male 3,895,921; female 5,469,637) (2001 est.)0.23% (2001 est.)11.54 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.35 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)5.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.82 years 75.13 years 80.66 years (2001 est.)1.73 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.11% (1999 est.)31,000 (1999 est.)450 (1999 est.)Briton(s), British (collective plural)BritishEnglish 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%Anglican 27 million, Roman Catholic 9 million, Muslim 1 million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 400,000, Hindu 350,000, Jewish 300,000 (1991 est.)English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling 99% (1978 est.) NA% NA%United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom abbreviation- UKconstitutional monarchyLondonEngland - 47 boroughs, 36 counties*, 29 London boroughs**, 12 cities and boroughs***, 10 districts****, 12 cities*****, 3 royal boroughs******; Barking and Dagenham**, Barnet**, Barnsley, Bath and North East Somerset****, Bedfordshire*, Bexley**, Birmingham***, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton, Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Bradford***, Brent**, Brighton and Hove, City of Bristol*****, Bromley**, Buckinghamshire*, Bury, Calderdale, Cambridgeshire*, Camden**, Cheshire*, Cornwall*, Coventry***, Croydon**, Cumbria*, Darlington, Derby*****, Derbyshire*, Devon*, Doncaster, Dorset*, Dudley, Durham*, Ealing**, East Riding of Yorkshire****, East Sussex*, Enfield**, Essex*, Gateshead, Gloucestershire*, Greenwich**, Hackney**, Halton, Hammersmith and Fulham**, Hampshire*, Haringey**, Harrow**, Hartlepool, Havering**, Herefordshire*, Hertfordshire*, Hillingdon**, Hounslow**, Isle of Wight*, Islington**, Kensington and Chelsea******, Kent*, City of Kingston upon Hull*****, Kingston upon Thames******, Kirklees, Knowsley, Lambeth**, Lancashire*, Leeds***, Leicester*****, Leicestershire*, Lewisham**, Lincolnshire*, Liverpool***, City of London*****, Luton, Manchester***, Medway, Merton**, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle upon Tyne***, Newham**, Norfolk*, Northamptonshire*, North East Lincolnshire****, North Lincolnshire****, North Somerset****, North Tyneside, Northumberland*, North Yorkshire*, Nottingham*****, Nottinghamshire*, Oldham, Oxfordshire*, Peterborough*****, Plymouth*****, Poole, Portsmouth*****, Reading, Redbridge**, Redcar and Cleveland, Richmond upon Thames**, Rochdale, Rotherham, Rutland****, Salford***, Shropshire*, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield***, Slough, Solihull, Somerset*, Southampton*****, Southend-on-Sea, South Gloucestershire****, South Tyneside, Southwark**, Staffordshire*, St. Helens, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent*****, Suffolk*, Sunderland***, Surrey*, Sutton**, Swindon, Tameside, Telford and Wrekin****, Thurrock, Torbay, Tower Hamlets**, Trafford, Wakefield***, Walsall, Waltham Forest**, Wandsworth**, Warrington, Warwickshire*, West Berkshire****, Westminster***, West Sussex*, Wigan, Wiltshire*, Windsor and Maidenhead******, Wirral, Wokingham****, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire*, York*****; Northern Ireland - 24 districts, 2 cities*; Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast*, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Derry*, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane; Scotland - 32 council areas; Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, The Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), West Lothian; Wales - 11 county boroughs, 9 counties*, 2 cities and counties**; Isle of Anglesey*, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff**, Ceredigion*, Carmarthenshire*, Conwy, Denbighshire*, Flintshire*, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire*, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire*, Powys*, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea**, Torfaen, The Vale of Glamorgan*, Wrexham Dependent areas- Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos IslandsEngland has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales was enacted under the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284; in the Act of Union of 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanent union as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, celebrated on the second Saturday in June (1926)unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practicecommon law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; no judicial review of Acts of Parliament; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; British courts and legislation are increasingly subject to review by European Union courts18 years of age; universalQueen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948)Prime Minister Anthony C. L. (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May 1997)Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister none; the monarch is hereditary; the prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons (assuming there is no majority party, a prime minister would have a majority coalition or at least a coalition that was not rejected by the majority)bicameral Parliament comprised of House of Lords (consists of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (659 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier) House of Lords - no elections (some proposals for further reform include elections); House of Commons - last held 7 June 2001 (next to be held by NA May 2006) House of Commons - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Labor 412, Conservative and Unionist 166, Liberal Democrat 52, other 29 note- in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Parliament (because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of 1999 and was rescinded in February 2000); in 1999 there were elections for a new Scottish Parliament and a new Welsh AssemblyHouse of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts); Scotland s Court of Session and Court of the JusticiaryConservative and Unionist Party [William HAGUE]; Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Rev. Ian PAISLEY]; Labor Party [Anthony (Tony) Blair]; Liberal Democrats [Charles KENNEDY]; Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Ieuan Wyn JONES]; Scottish National Party or SNP [John SWINNEY]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS]; Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [John HUME]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [David TRIMBLE]Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers Union; Trades Union CongressAfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Ambassador Sir Christopher J. R. MEYER 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-6500 [1] (202) 588-7870 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s)- Dallas, Denver, Miami, Orlando (reports to Atlanta), San Juan, and Seattle Ambassador Philip LADER 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A1AE PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 [44] (0) 207499-9000 (switchboard) [44] (171) 409-1637 Belfast, Edinburghblue with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) and which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); known as the Union Flag or Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, as well as British overseas territories United Kingdom EconomyThe UK, a leading trading power and financial center, deploys an essentially capitalistic economy, one of the quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. The economy has grown steadily, at just above or below 3%, for the last several years. The BLAIR government has put off the question of participation in the euro system until after the next election, in June of 2001; Chancellor of the Exchequer BROWN has identified some key economic tests to determine whether the UK should join the common currency system, but it will largely be a political decision. A serious short-term problem is foot-and-mouth disease, which by early 2001 had broken out in nearly 600 farms and slaughterhouses and had resulted in the killing of 400,000 animals.purchasing power parity - $1.36 trillion (2000 est.)3% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $22,800 (2000 est.)1.7%24.9%73.4% (1999)17%2.6%27.3% (1991)2.4% (2000 est.)29.2 million (1999)agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80% (1996 est.)5.5% (2000 est.)$555.2 billion$510.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $37.7 billion (FY00)machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods2% (2000)342.771 billion kWh (1999)69.38%1.55%26.68% 2.39% (1999)333.012 billion kWh (1999)265 million kWh (1999)14.5 billion kWh (1999)cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish$282 billion (f.o.b., 2000)manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobaccoEU 58% (Germany 12%, France 10%, Netherlands 8%), US 15% (1999)$324 billion (f.o.b., 2000)manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffsEU 53% (Germany 14%, France 9%, Netherlands 7%), US 13%, Japan 5% (1999)$NA Economic aid - donor- ODA, $3.4 billion (1997)British pound (GBP)GBPBritish pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996)1 April - 31 March United Kingdom Communications34.878 million (1997)13 million (yearend 1998) technologically advanced domestic and international system equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems 40 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centersAM 219, FM 431, shortwave 3 (1998)84.5 million (1997)228 (plus 3,523 repeaters) (1995)30.5 million (1997).uk245 (2000)19.47 million (2000)16,878 km broad gauge- 342 km 1.600-m gauge (190 km double track); note - all 1.600-m gauge track, of which 342 km is in common carrier use, and is in Northern Ireland16,536 km 1.435-m gauge (4,928 km electrified; 12,591 km double or multiple track) (1996)371,603 km371,603 km (including 3,303 km of expressways)0 km (1998 est.)3,200 kmcrude oil (almost all insignificant) 933 km; petroleum products 2,993 km; natural gas 12,800 kmAberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Dover, Falmouth, Felixstowe, Glasgow, Grangemouth, Hull, Leith, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Peterhead, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Scapa Flow, Southampton, Sullom Voe, Tees, Tyne200 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,934,776 GRT/3,760,240 DWTbulk 4, cargo 31, chemical tanker 11, combination ore/oil 1, container 47, liquefied gas 3, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 52, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 19, short-sea passenger 10, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 2 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Denmark 1 (2000 est.)489 (2000 est.) 349 10 33 162 89 55 (2000 est.) 140 1 23 116 (2000 est.)11 (2000 est.)Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Forcemales age 15-49- 14,599,199 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 12,139,930 (2001 est.)$36.884 billion (FY97)2.7% (FY97)international- Northern Ireland issue with Ireland (historic peace agreement signed 10 April 1998); Gibraltar issue with Spain; Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Argentina claims South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Mauritius and the Seychelles claim Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory); Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark and Iceland; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; disputes with Iceland, Denmark, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NMgateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; major consumer of synthetic drugs, producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering centerUnited StatesThe United States became the world s first modern democracy after its break with Great Britain (1776) and the adoption of a constitution (1789). During the 19th century, many new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation s history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world s most powerful nation-state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico38 00 N, 97 00 WNorth America9,629,091 sq km9,158,960 sq km470,131 sq km note- includes only the 50 states and District of Columbiaabout one-half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and one-half times the size of Western Europetotal- 12,248 kmCanada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Cuba 29 km (US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay), Mexico 3,326 km note- Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba19,924 km24 NMnot specified200 NM12 NMmostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountainsvast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in HawaiiDeath Valley -86 mMount McKinley 6,194 mcoal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber19%0%25%30%26% (1993 est.)207,000 sq km (1993 est.)tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to developmentair pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; very limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertificationAir Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingAir Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastesworld s third-largest country (after Russia and Canada)278,058,881 (July 2001 est.) 21.12% (male 30,034,674; female 28,681,253) 66.27% (male 91,371,753; female 92,907,199) 12.61% (male 14,608,948; female 20,455,054) (2001 est.)0.9% (2001 est.)14.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)6.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 77.26 years 74.37 years 80.05 years (2001 est.)2.06 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.61% (1999 est.)850,000 (1999 est.)20,000 (1999 est.)American(s)Americanwhite 83.5%, black 12.4%, Asian 3.3%, Amerindian 0.8% (1992) note- a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (especially of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.)Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989)English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority) age 15 and over can read and write 97% 97% 97% (1979 est.)United States of AmericaUnited States abbreviation- US or USAfederal republic; strong democratic traditionWashington, DC50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Dependent areas- American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note- from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with all four political units- the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986)4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)Independence Day, 4 July (1776)17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations18 years of age; universalPresident George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) George W. BUSH elected president; percent of popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 48%, Albert A. GORE, Jr. (Democratic Party) 48%, Ralph NADER (Green Party) 3%, other 1%bicameral Congress consists of Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 4 November 2002); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 4 November 2002) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 50, Democratic Party 50; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 221, Democratic Party 211, independent 2, vacant 1Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for life by the president with confirmation by the Senate); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County CourtsDemocratic Party [Terence McAULIFFE, national committee chairman]; Republican Party [James S. GILMORE III, national committee chairman]; several other groups or parties of minor political significanceNAAPEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MIPONUH, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZCthirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico United States EconomyThe US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $36,200. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and government buys needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment, although their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The years 1994-2000 witnessed solid increases in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment to below 5%. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs of an aging population, sizable trade deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. Growth weakened in the fourth quarter of 2000; growth for the year 2001 almost certainly will be substantially lower than the strong 5% of 2000. The outlook for 2001 is further clouded by the continued economic problems of Japan, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, and many other countries.purchasing power parity - $9.963 trillion (2000 est.)5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $36,200 (2000 est.)2%18%80% (1999)12.7% (1999 est.)1.8%30.5% (1997)3.4% (2000)140.9 million (includes unemployed) (2000)managerial and professional 30.2%, technical, sales and administrative support 29.2%, services 13.5%, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts 24.6%, farming, forestry, and fishing 2.5% (2000) note- figures exclude the unemployed4% (2000)$1.828 trillion$1.703 trillion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining5.6% (2000 est.)3.678 trillion kWh (1999)69.64%8.31%19.8% 2.25% (1999)3.45 trillion kWh (1999)14 billion kWh (1999)43 billion kWh (1999)wheat, other grains, corn, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish$776 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural productsCanada 23%, Mexico 14%, Japan 8%, UK 5%, Germany 4%, France, Netherlands (2000)$1.223 trillion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beveragesCanada 19%, Japan 11%, Mexico 11%, China 8%, Germany 5%, UK, Taiwan (2000)$862 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid - donor- ODA, $6.9 billion (1997)US dollar (USD)USDBritish pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.5032 (January 2001), 1.4851 (2000), 1.4857 (1999), 1.4835 (1998), 1.3846 (1997), 1.3635 (1996); French francs per US dollar - 5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994); Italian lire per US dollar - 1,668.7 (January 1999), 1,763.2 (1998), 1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996), 1,628.9 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994); Japanese yen per US dollar - 117.10 (January 2001), 107.77 (2000), 113.91 (1999), 130.91 (1998), 120.99 (1997), 108.78 (1996); German deutsche marks per US dollar - 1.69 (January 1999), 1.9692 (1998), 1.7341 (1997), 1.5048 (1996), 1.4331 (1995), 1.6228 (1994); euros per US dollar - 1.06594 (January 2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999) note- financial institutions in France, Italy, and Germany and eight other European countries started using the euro on 1 January 1999 with the euro replacing the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 20021 October - 30 September United States Communications194 million (1997)69.209 million (1998) a very large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000)AM 4,762, FM 5,542, shortwave 18 (1998)575 million (1997)more than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks - NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) (1997)219 million (1997).us7,800 (2000 est.)148 million (2000)225,750 km mainline routes225,750 km 1.435-m gauge (1999)6,370,031 km5,733,028 km (including 74,091 km of expressways)637,003 km (1997)41,009 km note- navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakespetroleum products 276,000 km; natural gas 331,000 km (1991)Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo376 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,814,622 GRT/14,416,517 DWTbarge carrier 9, bulk 68, cargo 29, chemical tanker 13, combination bulk 3, container 80, liquefied gas 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 9, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 98, roll on/roll off 49, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 9 (2000 est.)14,720 (2000 est.) 5,174 182 220 1,331 2,440 1,001 (2000 est.) 9,546 3 6 164 1,675 7,698 (2000 est.)131 (2000 est.)Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (includes Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force note- the Coast Guard is normally subordinate to the Department of Transportation, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy18 years of agemales age 15-49- 70,819,436 (2001 est.)NAmales- 2,039,414 (2001 est.)$276.7 billion (FY99 est.)3.2% (FY99 est.)international- maritime boundary disputes with Canada (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island); US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation; Marshall Islands claims Wake Islandconsumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering centerUruguayA violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay s president to agree to military control of his administration in 1973. By the end of the year the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold throughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. Uruguay s political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil33 00 S, 56 00 WSouth America176,220 sq km173,620 sq km2,600 sq kmslightly smaller than the state of Washingtontotal- 1,564 kmArgentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km660 km24 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMwarm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknownmostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowlandAtlantic Ocean 0 mCerro Catedral 514 marable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries7%0%77%6%10% (1997 est.)7,700 sq km (1997 est.)seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in weather frontswater pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposalAntarctic-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 Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsMarine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban3,360,105 (July 2001 est.) 24.39% (male 419,932; female 399,605) 62.61% (male 1,038,785; female 1,064,891) 13% (male 180,130; female 256,762) (2001 est.)0.78% (2001 est.)17.36 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.03 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)14.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 75.44 years 72.11 years 78.96 years (2001 est.)2.36 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.33% (1999 est.)6,000 (1999 est.)150 (1999 est.)Uruguayan(s)Uruguayanwhite 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian, practically nonexistentRoman Catholic 66% (less than one-half of the adult population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing or other 31%Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) age 15 and over can read and write 97.3% 96.9% 97.7% (1995 est.)Oriental Republic of UruguayUruguayRepublica Oriental del UruguayUruguayBanda Oriental, Cisplatine Provinceconstitutional republicMontevideo19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres25 August 1825 (from Brazil)Independence Day, 25 August (1825)27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universal and compulsoryPresident Jorge BATLLE (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Jorge BATLLE (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October 1999 with run-off election on 28 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Jorge BATLLE elected president; percent of vote - Jorge BATLLE 52% in a runoff against Tabare VAZQUEZ 44%bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 12, Colorado Party 10, Blanco 7, New Sector/Space Coalition 1; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 40, Colorado Party 33, Blanco 22, New Sector/Space Coalition 4Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE]; National Party or Blanco [Alberto VOLONTE]; New Sector/Space Coalition or Nuevo Espacio [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter in the Broad Front or Encuentro Progresista [Tabare VAZQUEZ]NACCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Hugo FERNANDEZ Faingold 2715 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 [1] (202) 331-8142 Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York Ambassador Christopher C. ASHBY Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11100 APO AA 34035 [598] (2) 408-777, 203-6061 [598] (2) 48 86 11nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy Uruguay EconomyUruguay s economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, relatively even income distribution, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually in 1996-98, in 1999-2000 the economy suffered from lower demand in Argentina and Brazil, which together account for about half of Uruguay s exports. Despite the severity of the trade shocks, Uruguay s financial indicators remained more stable than those of its neighbors, a reflection of its solid reputation among investors and its investment-grade sovereign bond rating - one of only two in Latin America. Challenges for the government of President Jorge BATLLE include expanding Uruguay s trade ties beyond its MERCOSUR trade partners and reducing the costs of public services. GDP fell by 1.1% in 2000 and will grow by perhaps 1.5% in 2001.purchasing power parity - $31 billion (2000 est.)-1.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $9,300 (2000 est.)10%28%62% (1999)NA%NA%NA%4.8% (2000 est.)1.5 million (1999 est.)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%14% (2000 est.)$4 billion$4.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (2000 est.)food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages-2.1% (2000 est.)5.704 billion kWh (1999)3.86%95.44%0% 0.7% (1999)5.89 billion kWh (1999)215 million kWh (1999)800 million kWh (1999)wheat, rice, barley, corn, sorghum; livestock; fish$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)meat, rice, leather products, vehicles, dairy products, wool, electricityMERCOSUR partners 45%, EU 20%, US 7% (1999 est.)$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)road vehicles, electrical machinery, metal manufactures, heavy industrial machinery, crude petroleumMERCOSUR partners 43%, EU 20%, US 11% (1999 est.)$8 billion (2000 est.)$NAUruguayan peso (UYU)UYUUruguayan pesos per US dollar - 12.5610 (January 2001), 12.0996 (2000), 11.3393 (1999), 10.4719 (1998), 9.4418 (1997), 7.9718 (1996)calendar year Uruguay Communications850,000 (2000)300,000 (2000) some modern facilities most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 94, FM 115, shortwave 14 (seven are inactive) (1998)1.97 million (1997)26 (plus ten low-power repeaters for the Montevideo station) (1997)782,000 (1997).uy7 (2000)300,000 (2000)2,073 km2,073 km 1.435-m gauge (2000)8,983 km8,085 km898 km (1999)1,600 km ( used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft)Fray Bentos, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este, Colonia, Piriapolis2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,752 GRT/5,228 DWTpetroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)64 (2000 est.) 15 1 5 8 1 (2000 est.) 49 2 16 31 (2000 est.)Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Police (Coracero Guard, Grenadier Guard)males age 15-49- 817,535 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 661,777 (2001 est.)$172 million (FY98)0.9% (FY98)international- noneUzbekistanRussia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1925. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include insurgency by Islamic militants based in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, a non-convertible currency, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.Central Asia, north of Afghanistan41 00 N, 64 00 ECommonwealth of Independent States447,400 sq km425,400 sq km22,000 sq kmslightly larger than Californiatotal- 6,221 kmAfghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km0 km; note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shorelinenone (doubly landlocked)mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in eastmostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Sirdaryo (Syr Darya), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in westSariqarnish Kuli -12 mAdelunga Toghi 4,301 mnatural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum9%1%46%3%41% (1993 est.)40,000 sq km (1993 est.)NAdrying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from agricultural chemicals, including DDTBiodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementsalong with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world25,155,064 (July 2001 est.) 36.32% (male 4,646,341; female 4,489,265) 59.06% (male 7,351,908; female 7,504,626) 4.62% (male 466,029; female 696,895) (2001 est.)1.6% (2001 est.)26.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)71.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.81 years 60.24 years 67.56 years (2001 est.)3.06 children born/woman (2001 est.)less than 0.01% (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)less than 100 (1999 est.)Uzbekistani(s)UzbekistaniUzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (yearend 1996)Republic of UzbekistanUzbekistanUzbekiston RespublikasinoneUzbek Soviet Socialist Republicrepublic; effectively authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branchTashkent (Toshkent)12 wiloyatlar (singular - wiloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahri); Andijon Wiloyati, Bukhoro Wiloyati, Farghona Wiloyati, Jizzakh Wiloyati, Khorazm Wiloyati (Urganch), Namangan Wiloyati, Nawoiy Wiloyati, Qashqadaryo Wiloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpoghiston* (Nukus), Samarqand Wiloyati, Sirdaryo Wiloyati (Guliston), Surkhondaryo Wiloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Wiloyati note- administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)Independence Day, 1 September (1991)new constitution adopted 8 December 1992evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial system18 years of age; universalnone (doubly landlocked)President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)Prime Minister Otkir SULTONOV (since 21 December 1995)Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be held NA January 2005); note - extension of President KARIMOV s original term for an additional five years overwhelmingly approved - 99.6% of total vote in favor - by national referendum held 27 March 1995; prime minister and deputy ministers appointed by the president Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz DZHALALOV 4.2%unicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 5 December and 19 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2004) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 48, Self-Sacrificers Party 34, Fatherland Progress Party 20, Adolat Social Democratic Party 11, MTP 10, citizens groups 16, local government 110, vacant 1 note- not all seats in the last Supreme Assembly election were contested; all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOVSupreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Anwar JURABAYEV, first secretary]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP [Aziz KAYUMOV, chairman]; Fatherland Progress Party [Anwar Z. YOLDASHEV]; People s Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Abdulkhafiz JALOLOV, first secretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or Fidokorlar National Democratic Party [Ahtam TURSUNOV, first secretary]Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim PULAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Abdumanob PULAT, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]AsDB, CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Shavkat HAMRAKULOV 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 887-5300 [1] (202) 293-6804 New York Ambassador John Edward HERBST 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115 use embassy street address; US Embassy Tashkent, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7110 [998] (71) 120-5444 [998] (71) 120-6335three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant Uzbekistan EconomyUzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 10% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world s third largest cotton exporter, a large producer of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Faced with high rates of inflation, however, the government began to reform in mid-1994, by introducing tighter monetary policies, expanding privatization, slightly reducing the role of the state in the economy, and improving the environment for foreign investors. The state continues to be a dominating influence in the economy and has so far failed to bring about much-needed structural changes. The IMF suspended Uzbekistan s $185 million standby arrangement in late 1996 because of governmental steps that made impossible fulfillment of Fund conditions. Uzbekistan has responded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian and Russian financial crises by tightening export and currency controls within its already largely closed economy. Economic policies that have repelled foreign investment are a major factor in the economy s stagnation. A growing debt burden, persistent inflation, and a poor business climate led to stagnant growth in 2000, with little improvement predicted for 2001.purchasing power parity - $60 billion (2000 est.)2.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2000 est.)28%21%51% (1999 est.)NA%3.1%25.2% (1993)40% (2000 est.)11.9 million (1998 est.)agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995)10% plus another 20% underemployed (1999 est.)$4 billion$4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, chemicals6.4% (2000 est.)42.876 billion kWh (1999)86.4%13.6%0% 0% (1999)43.455 billion kWh (1999)3.92 billion kWh (1999)7.5 billion kWh (1999)cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock$2.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobilesRussia 13%, Switzerland 10%, UK 10%, Belgium 3%, Kazakhstan 4%, Tajikistan 4% (1999)$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; foodstuffsRussia 14%, South Korea 14%, Germany 11%, US 8%, Turkey 4%, Kazakhstan 4% (1999)$3.3 billion (1999 est.)$276.6 million (1995)Uzbekistani sum (UZS)UZSUzbekistani sums per US dollar - 325.0 (January 2001), 141.4 (January 2000), 111.9 (February 1999), 110.95 (December 1998), 75.8 (September 1997), 41.1 (1996)calendar year Uzbekistan Communications1.98 million (1999)26,000 (1998) antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization the domestic telephone system is being expanded and technologically improved, particularly in Tashkent and Samarqand, under contracts with prominent companies in industrialized countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networks had been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global System for Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System) linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite earth stations - NA (1998)AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998)10.8 million (1997)4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Tadzhik programs) (1997)6.4 million (1997).uz42 (2000)7,500 (2000)3,380 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge- 3,380 km 1.520-m gauge (300 km electrified) (1993)81,600 km71,237 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)10,363 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1996)1,100 km (1990)crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 810 km (1992)Termiz (Amu Darya river)267 (2000 est.) 10 3 5 2 (2000 est.) 257 3 8 11 13 222Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard18 years of agemales age 15-49- 6,550,587 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 5,318,418 (2001 est.)males- 274,602 (2001 est.)$200 million (FY97)2% (FY97)international- occasional target of Islamic insurgents based in Tajikistan and Afghanistanlimited illicit cultivation of cannabis and very small amounts of opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption, almost entirely eradicated by an effective government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Afghanistan to Russia and Western Europe and for acetic anhydride destined for AfghanistanVanuatuThe British and French who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980.Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia16 00 S, 167 00 EOceania12,200 sq km12,200 sq km0 sq km note- includes more than 80 islandsslightly larger than Connecticut0 km2,528 kmmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselines24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical; moderated by southeast trade windsmostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plainsPacific Ocean 0 mTabwemasana 1,877 mmanganese, hardwood forests, fish2%10%2%75%11% (1993 est.)NA sq kmtropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakesa majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94none of the selected agreements192,910 (July 2001 est.) 36.35% (male 35,822; female 34,299) 60.43% (male 59,764; female 56,808) 3.22% (male 3,348; female 2,869) (2001 est.)1.7% (2001 est.)25.4 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.38 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.17 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)61.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 60.95 years 59.58 years 62.39 years (2001 est.)3.19 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANANi-Vanuatu (singular and plural)Ni-Vanuatuindigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%, Vietnamese, Chinese, Pacific IslandersPresbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7%English (official), French (official), pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) age 15 and over can read and write 53% 57% 48% (1979 est.)Republic of VanuatuVanuatuNew HebridesrepublicPort-Vila6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba30 July 1980 (from France and UK)Independence Day, 30 July (1980)30 July 1980unified system being created from former dual French and British systems18 years of age; universalmeasured from claimed archipelagic baselinesPresident Father John BANI (since 25 March 1999)Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 16 April 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Serge VOHOR (since 16 April 2001)Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament president elected for a four-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils for a five-year term; election for president last held 25 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2003); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 16 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2002) Father John BANI elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA%; Edward NATAPEI elected prime minister by Parliament with a total of 27 out of 52 votes note- the government of Prime Minister Barak SOPE was ousted in a no confidence vote on 14 April 2001 and Edward NATAPEI was elected the new prime minister by Parliamentunicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held 6 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - VP 18, UMP 12, NUP 11, other and independent 11; note - political party associations are fluid; there have been four changes of government since the November 1995 elections note- the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and landSupreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [Willie TITONGOA]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuaaku Party (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]NAACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer)two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar s tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow Vanuatu EconomyThe economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000 visitors in 1997, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. The most recent natural disaster, a severe earthquake in November 1999 followed by a tsunami, caused extensive damage to the northern island of Pentecote and left thousands homeless. GDP growth has risen less than 3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the government is moving to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center.purchasing power parity - $245 million (1999 est.)-2.5% (1999 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,300 (1999 est.)20%9%71% (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%2.5% (1999 est.)NAagriculture 65%, services 32%, industry 3% (1995 est.)NA%$94.4 million$99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4 million (1996 est.)food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning1% (1997 est.)35 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)32.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef$25.3 million (f.o.b., 1999)copra, kava, beef, cocoa, timber, coffeeJapan 32%, Germany 14%, Spain 8%, New Caledonia 7%, Australia 2% (1997 est.)$77.2 million (f.o.b., 1999)machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuelsJapan 52%, Australia 20%, New Caledonia, Singapore, New Zealand, France, Fiji (1997 est.)$48 million (1997 est.)$45.8 million (1995)vatu (VUV)VUVvatu per US dollar - 143.95 (December 2000), 137.82 (2000), 129.08 (1999), 127.52 (1998), 115.87 (1997), 111.72 (1996)calendar year Vanuatu Communications4,000 (1996)154 (1996) NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)62,000 (1997)1 (1997)2,000 (1997).vu1 (2000)3,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km1,070 km256 km814 km (1996)noneForari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,067,384 GRT/1,330,543 DWTbulk 23, cargo 7, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 2, container 1, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 7, vehicle carrier 6 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- Australia 2, Canada 1, China 1, France 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 1, Japan 22, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, Switzerland 1, US 4 (2000 est.)32 (2000 est.) 2 1 1 (2000 est.) 30 2 11 17 (2000 est.)no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF)$NANA%international- claims Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New CaledoniaVenezuelaVenezuela was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include- drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana8 00 N, 66 00 WSouth America, Central America and the Caribbean912,050 sq km882,050 sq km30,000 sq kmslightly more than twice the size of Californiatotal- 4,993 kmBrazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km2,800 km15 NM200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlandsAndes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeastCaribbean Sea 0 mPico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 mpetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds4%1%20%34%41% (1993 est.)1,900 sq km (1993 est.)subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughtssewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operationsAntarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, WetlandsMarine Dumpingon major sea and air routes linking North and South America23,916,810 (July 2001 est.) 32.11% (male 3,962,517; female 3,716,880) 63.17% (male 7,581,589; female 7,526,467) 4.72% (male 515,687; female 613,670) (2001 est.)1.56% (2001 est.)20.65 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)25.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.31 years 70.29 years 76.56 years (2001 est.)2.46 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.49% (1999 est.)62,000 (1999 est.)2,000 (1999 est.)Venezuelan(s)VenezuelanSpanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous peoplenominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects age 15 and over can read and write 91.1% 91.8% 90.3% (1995 est.)Bolivarian Republic of VenezuelaVenezuelaRepublica Bolivariana de VenezuelaVenezuelafederal republicCaracas23 states (estados, singular - estado),1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia note- the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands5 July 1811 (from Spain)Independence Day, 5 July (1811)30 December 1999based on organic laws as of July 1999; open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Adina BASTIDAS Castillo; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Adina BASTIDAS Castillo; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCouncil of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) Hugo CHAVEZ Frias elected president; percent of vote - 60% note- government coalition - Patriotic Pole or Polo Patriotico consists of MVR, MAS, and PPTunicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional; 165 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) Pro-government- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other parties 7; Opposition- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other parties 13Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)Brave Peoples Alliance or ABP [leader NA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [leader Luis MIQUILENA]; Homeland for All or PPT [Pablo MEDINA]; Justice First [leader NA]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Felipe MUJICA]; National Convergence or Convergencia [Dr. Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez]; Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELASQUEZ]; Social Christian Party or COPEI [Jose CURIEL]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Ronier]FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action)CAN, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Alfredo TORO Hardy 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 342-2214 [1] (202) 342-6820 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Ambassador Donna J. HRINAK Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 [58] (2) 975-6411 [58] (2) 975-6710three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band Venezuela EconomyThe petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Venezuelan officials estimate that GDP grew by 3.2% in 2000. A strong rebound in international oil prices fueled the recovery from the steep recession in 1999. Nevertheless, a weak nonoil sector and capital flight undercut the recovery. The bolivar is widely believed to be overvalued by as much as 50%. The government is still rebuilding after massive flooding and landslides in December 1999 caused an estimated $15 billion to $20 billion in damage.purchasing power parity - $146.2 billion (2000 est.)3.2% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2000 est.)5%24%71% (1999 est.)67% (1997 est.)1.5%35.6% (1995)13% (2000)9.9 million (1999)services 64%, industry 23%, agriculture 13% (1997 est.)14% (2000 est.)$26.4 billion$27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assemblyNA81.215 billion kWh (1999)32.16%67.84%0% 0% (1999)75.53 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish$32.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufacturesUS and Puerto Rico 57%, Colombia, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Italy (1999)$14.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materialsUS 53%, Japan, Colombia, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada (1999)$34 billion (2000)$35 million with more assistance likely as a result of flooding (1999)bolivar (VEB)VEBbolivares per US dollar - 699.700 (January 2001), 679.960 (2000), 605.717 (1999), 547.556 (1998), 488.635 (1997), 417.333 (1996)calendar year Venezuela Communications2,600,000.00; however, 3,500,000 were installed (1998)2 million (1998) modern and expanding domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic networkAM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998)10.75 million (1997)66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997)4.1 million (1997).ve16 (2000)400,000 (2000)584 km (248 km privately owned)584 km 1.435-m gauge96,155 km32,308 km63,847 km (1997 est.)7,100 km note- Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vesselscrude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 kmAmuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon36 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 490,160 GRT/897,694 DWTbulk 7, cargo 10, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)371 (2000 est.) 124 4 12 32 59 17 (2000 est.) 247 10 97 140 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN) includes Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional)18 years of agemales age 15-49- 6,524,809 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 4,701,062 (2001 est.)males- 246,185 (2001 est.)$934 million (FY99)0.9% (FY99)international- claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo (river); maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuelaillicit producer of opium for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; important money-laundering center; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on borderVietnamFrance occupied all of Vietnam by 1884. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH, who took control of the north. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later North Vietnamese forces overran the south. Economic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult as aging Communist Party leaders have only grudgingly initiated reforms necessary for a free market.Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia16 00 N, 106 00 ESoutheast Asia329,560 sq km325,360 sq km4,200 sq kmslightly larger than New Mexicototal- 4,639 kmCambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km3,444 km (excludes islands)24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMtropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March)low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwestSouth China Sea 0 mNgoc Linh 3,143 mphosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower17%4%1%30%48% (1993 est.)18,600 sq km (1993 est.)occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive floodinglogging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh CityBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban79,939,014 (July 2001 est.) 32.13% (male 13,266,585; female 12,415,384) 62.44% (male 24,357,343; female 25,556,187) 5.43% (male 1,722,094; female 2,621,421) (2001 est.)1.45% (2001 est.)21.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)30.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 69.56 years 67.12 years 72.19 years (2001 est.)2.49 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.24% (1999 est.)100,000 (1999 est.)2,500 (1999 est.)Vietnamese (singular and plural)VietnameseVietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, mountain groupsBuddhist, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic, some Protestant), indigenous beliefs, MuslimVietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) age 15 and over can read and write 93.7% 96.5% 91.2% (1995 est.)Socialist Republic of VietnamVietnamCong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet NamViet Nam abbreviation- SRVCommunist stateHanoi58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3 municipalities* (thu do, singular and plural); An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Da Nang, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Hai Duong, Hai Phong*, Ha Nam, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hoa Binh, Ho Chi Minh*, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai2 September 1945 (from France)Independence Day, 2 September (1945)15 April 1992based on communist legal theory and French civil law system18 years of age; universalPresident Tran Duc LUONG (since 24 September 1997) and Vice President Nguyen Thi BINH (since NA October 1992)Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 25 September 1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 29 September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen Cong TAN (since 29 September 1997), Nguyen Manh CAM (since 29 September 1997), and Pham Gia KHIEM (since 29 September 1997)Cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term; election last held 25 September 1997 (next to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative elections in NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister Tran Duc LUONG elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (450 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 20 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) percent of vote by party - CPV 92%, other 8% (the 8% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand for election); seats by party - CPV or CPV-approved 450Supreme People s Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president)only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Le Kha PHIEU, general secretary]noneACCT, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador-designate Nguyen Tam CHIEN 1233 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Suite 400 [1] (202) 861-0737 [1] (202) 861-0917 San Francisco Ambassador Douglas B. "Pete" PETERSON 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 [84] (4) 8431500 [84] (4) 8351510 Ho Chi Minh Cityred with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center Vietnam EconomyVietnam is a poor, densely populated country that has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally planned economy. Substantial progress was achieved from 1986 to 1996 in moving forward from an extremely low starting point - growth averaged around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian financial crisis highlighted the problems existing in the Vietnamese economy but, rather than prompting reform, reaffirmed the government s belief that shifting to a market oriented economy leads to disaster. GDP growth of 8.5% in 1997 fell to 6% in 1998 and 5% in 1999. Growth continued at the moderately strong level of 5.5%, a level that should be matched in 2001. These numbers mask some major difficulties in economic performance. Many domestic industries, including coal, cement, steel, and paper, have reported large stockpiles of inventory and tough competition from more efficient foreign producers; this problem apparently eased in 2000. Foreign direct investment fell dramatically, from $8.3 billion in 1996 to about $1.6 billion in 1999. Meanwhile, Vietnamese authorities have moved slowly in implementing the structural reforms needed to revitalize the economy and produce more competitive, export-driven industries.purchasing power parity - $154.4 billion (2000 est.)5.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,950 (2000 est.)25%35%40% (1999 est.)37% (1998 est.)3.5%29% (1993)-0.6% (2000 est.)38.2 million (1998 est.)agriculture 67%, industry and services 33% (1997 est.)25% (1995 est.)$5.3 billion$5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8 billion (1999 est.)food processing, garments, shoes, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper10.7% (2000 est.)22.985 billion kWh (1999)47.71%52.29%0% 0% (1999)21.376 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas, sugar; poultry, pigs; fish$14.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoesChina, Japan, Germany, Australia, US, France, Singapore, UK, Taiwan$15.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcyclesJapan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, France, US, Sweden$13.2 billion (2000)$2.1 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000dong (VND)VNDdong per US dollar - 14,530 (January 2001), 14,020 (January 2000), 13,900 (December 1998), 11,100 (December 1996), 11,193 (1995 average), 11,000 (October 1994)calendar year Vietnam Communications2.6 million (2000)730,155 (2000) Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighbors all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; since 1991, main lines in use have been substantially increased and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999)8.2 million (1997)at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998)3.57 million (1997).vn5 (2000)121,000 (2000)2,652 km166 km 1.435-m gauge2,249 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge- 237 km NA-m gauges (three rails) (1998)93,300 km23,418 km69,882 km (1996)17,702 km note- more than 5,149 km are navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draftpetroleum products 150 kmCam Ranh, Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Vinh, Vung Tau143 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 705,388 GRT/1,071,902 DWTbulk 8, cargo 108, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 2, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)34 (2000 est.) 17 8 3 4 2 (2000 est.) 17 1 1 7 8 (2000 est.)People s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force), Coast Guard17 years of agemales age 15-49- 21,704,588 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 13,673,438 (2001 est.)males- 961,124 (2001 est.)$650 million (FY98)2.5% (FY98)international- maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; maritime boundary agreement with China in the Gulf of Tonkin awaits ratification; Paracel Islands occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; portions of boundary with Cambodia are in dispute; agreement on land border with China was signed in December 1999, but details of alignment have not yet been made publicminor producer of opium poppy with 2,100 hectares cultivated in 1999, capable of producing 11 metric tons of opium; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problemsVirgin IslandsDuring the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico18 20 N, 64 50 WCentral America and the Caribbean352 sq km349 sq km3 sq kmtwice the size of Washington, DC0 km188 km200 NM12 NMsubtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to Novembermostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level landCaribbean Sea 0 mCrown Mountain 474 msun, sand, sea, surf15%6%26%6%47% (1993 est.)NA sq kmseveral hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakeslack of natural freshwater resourcesimportant location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean122,211 (July 2001 est.) 27.27% (male 17,121; female 16,204) 63.92% (male 35,391; female 42,727) 8.81% (male 4,638; female 6,130) (2001 est.)1.06% (2001 est.)15.9 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)5.47 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female (2001 est.)9.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 78.27 years 74.38 years 82.39 years (2001 est.)2.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANAVirgin Islander(s)Virgin Islanderblack 80%, white 15%, other 5% note- West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%English (official), Spanish, Creole NA NA% NA% NA%United States Virgin IslandsVirgin IslandsDanish West Indiesorganized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the InteriorNACharlotte Amalienone (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint ThomasTransfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954based on US laws18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential electionsPresident George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001)Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Gererd LUZ James II (since 5 January 1999)NA US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2002) Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL elected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles W. TURNBULL (Democrat) 58.9%, former Governor Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 41.1%unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 6, ICM 2, independents 7 note- the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) electedUS District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens Movement or ICM [Usie RICHON]; Republican Party [Gary SCROUVE]NAECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOCwhite, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel Virgin Islands EconomyTourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world s largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, and protect the environment.purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (2000 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%47,443 (1990 est.)agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)4.9% (March 1999)$364.4 million$364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronicsNA%1.02 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)948.6 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle$NArefined petroleum productsUS, Puerto Rico$NAcrude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materialsUS, Puerto Rico$NA$NAUS dollar (USD)USDthe US dollar is used1 October - 30 September Virgin Islands Communications62,000 (1997)2,000 (1992) NA modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NAAM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (1998)107,000 (1997)2 (1997)68,000 (1997).vi50 (2000)12,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km856 kmNA kmNA km (2000)noneCharlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Merchant marine- none (2000 est.)2 note- international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix (2000 est.) 2 2 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- noneWake IslandThe US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941 the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island s airstrip has been used by the US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well as for emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on the island.Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands19 17 N, 166 36 EOceania6.5 sq km6.5 sq km0 sq kmabout 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC0 km19.3 km200 NM12 NMtropicalatoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rimPacific Ocean 0 munnamed location 6 mnone0%0%0%0%100%0 sq km (1998)occasional typhoonsNAstrategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flightsno indigenous inhabitants note- US military personnel have left the island, but civilian personnel remain; as of December 2000, one US Army civilian and 123 civilian contractor personnel were present (January 2001 est.)NAnoneWake Islandunincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island are managed by the US Army under a US Air Force permitthe laws of the US, where applicable, applythe flag of the US is used Wake Island EconomyEconomic activity is limited to providing services to contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.NA kWh Wake Island Communications satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) NA NAAM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note- Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (1998)0 (1997)nonenone; two offshore anchorages for large ships1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Transportation - note- formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency landings Military - note- defense is the responsibility of the USinternational- claimed by Marshall IslandsWallis and FutunaAlthough discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand13 18 S, 176 12 WOceania274 sq km274 sq km0 sq km note- includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets1.5 times the size of Washington, DC0 km129 km200 NM12 NMtropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Cvolcanic origin; low hillsPacific Ocean 0 mMont Singavi 765 mNEGL5%20%0%0%75% (1993 est.)NA sq kmNAdeforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resourcesboth island groups have fringing reefs15,435 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%NA%NA births/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 populationNA migrant(s)/1,000 populationNA deaths/1,000 live births NA years NA years NA yearsNA children born/womanNA%NANAWallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna IslandersWallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna IslanderPolynesianRoman Catholic 100%French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) age 15 and over can read and write 50% 50% 50% (1969 est.)Territory of the Wallis and Futuna IslandsWallis and FutunaTerritoire des Iles Wallis et FutunaWallis et Futunaoverseas territory of FranceNAMata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms named Alo, Sigave, Wallisnone (overseas territory of France)Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)28 September 1958 (French Constitution)French legal system18 years of age; universalPresident Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Christian DORS (since NA)President of the Territorial Assembly Soane UHILA (since NA)Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note- there are three traditional kings with limited powers French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assemblyunicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 16 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 2002) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 14, other 6 note- Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - RPR 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held by NA March 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - RPR 1none; justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-UtuLua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader NA]; Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Taumu a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA]NAFZ, SPCa large white modified Maltese cross centered on a red background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions Wallis and Futuna EconomyThe economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia.purchasing power parity - $30 million (1997 est.)NA%purchasing power parity - $2,000 (1997 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NA%NAagriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (est.)NA%$20 million$17 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumberNA%NA kWhNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhbreadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats$250,000 (f.o.b., 1999)copra, chemicals, construction materialsItaly 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13%$300,000 (f.o.b., 1999)chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goodsFrance 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1%$NAassistance from FranceComptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)XPFComptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 1127.11 (January 2001), 129.43 (2000), 111.93 (1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996); note - linked at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the eurocalendar year Wallis and Futuna Communications1,125 (1994)0 (1994) NA NA NAAM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)NA2 (2000)NA.wf1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)16 km (all on Ile Uvea)104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)noneLeava, Mata-Utu4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 48,853 GRT/43,128 DWTpassenger 3, petroleum tanker 1 note- includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience- France 1 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) 1 1 (2000 est.) Military - note- defense is the responsibility of Franceinternational- noneWest BankThe Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations, which resumed in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus. An intifadah broke out in September 2000; the resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel s military response, and instability in the Palestinian Authority are undermining progress toward a permanent settlement.Middle East, west of Jordan32 00 N, 35 15 EMiddle East5,860 sq km5,640 sq km220 sq km note- includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man s Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967slightly smaller than Delawaretotal- 404 kmIsrael 307 km, Jordan 97 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild wintersmostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in eastDead Sea -408 mTall Asur 1,022 marable land27%0%32%1%40%NA sq kmdroughtsadequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatmentlandlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel s coastal aquifers; there are 231 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 1999 est.)2,090,713 (July 2001 est.) note- in addition, there are some 176,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and about 173,000 in East Jerusalem (August 1999 est.) 44.61% (male 478,232; female 454,439) 51.8% (male 552,661; female 530,230) 3.59% (male 32,629; female 42,522) (2001 est.)3.48% (2001 est.)35.83 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)4.37 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2001 est.)21.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 72.28 years 70.58 years 74.07 years (2001 est.)4.9 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANANANAPalestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) NA NA% NA% NA%noneWest Bank West Bank Economynone (landlocked)Economic output in the West Bank is governed by the Paris Economic Protocol of April 1994 between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Real per capita GDP for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) declined by 36.1% between 1992 and 1996 owing to the combined effect of falling aggregate incomes and rapid population growth. The downturn in economic activity was largely the result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of border closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which disrupted established labor and commodity market relationships between Israel and the WBGS. The most serious social effect of this downturn was rising unemployment; unemployment in the WBGS during the 1980s was generally under 5%; by 1995 it had risen to over 20%. Since 1997 Israel s use of comprehensive closures has decreased and, in 1998, Israel implemented new policies to reduce the impact of closures and other security procedures on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor. These changes fueled an almost three-year long economic recovery in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; real GDP grew by 5% in 1998 and 6% in 1999. Recovery was upended in the last quarter of 2000 with the outbreak of Palestinian violence, which triggered tight Israeli closures of Palestinian self-rule areas and a severe disruption of trade and labor movements.purchasing power parity - $3.1 billion (2000 est.)-7.5% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2000 est.)9%28%63% note- includes Gaza Strip (1999 est.)NA%NA%NA%3% (includes Gaza Strip) (2000 est.)NAservices 66%, industry 21%, agriculture 13% (1996)40% (includes Gaza Strip) (yearend 2000)$1.6 billion$1.73 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA note- includes Gaza Strip (1999 est.)generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centersNA%NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; at the same time, some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plantsNA%NA%NA% NA%NA kWhNA kWholives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products$682 million (includes Gaza Strip) (f.o.b., 1998 est.)olives, fruit, vegetables, limestoneIsrael, Jordan, Gaza Strip$2.5 billion (includes Gaza Strip) (c.i.f., 1998 est.)food, consumer goods, construction materialsIsrael, Jordan, Gaza Strip$108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)$121 million disbursed (includes Gaza Strip) (2000)new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)ILS; JODnew Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.0810 (December 2000), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997), 3.1917 (1996); Jordanian dinars per US dollar - fixed rate of 0.7090 (from 1996)calendar year (since 1 January 1992) West Bank Communications95,729 (total for West Bank and Gaza Strip) (1997)NA NA NA NA note- Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for communication services in the West BankAM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 note- the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts from an AM station in Ramallah on 675 kHz; numerous local, private stations are reported to be in operation (2000)NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)NANA; note - many Palestinian households have televisions (1999)8 (1999)23,520 (includes Gaza Strip) (1999) Railways- 0 km4,500 km2,700 km1,800 km (1997 est.) note- Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish settlementsnonenone3 (2000 est.) 3 1 1 1 (2000 est.)NA$NANA%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 negotiationWestern SaharaMorocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania s withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat s sovereignty ended in a 1991 cease-fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed and is not expected to occur until at least 2002.Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco24 30 N, 13 00 WAfrica266,000 sq km266,000 sq km0 sq kmabout the size of Coloradototal- 2,046 kmAlgeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km1,110 kmcontingent upon resolution of sovereignty issuehot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dewmostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeastSebjet Tah -55 munnamed location 463 mphosphates, iron ore0%0%19%0%81%NA sq kmhot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibilitysparse water and lack of arable landnone of the selected agreementsnone of the selected agreements250,559 (July 2001 est.) NA% NA% NA%NA%NANASahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)Sahrawian, SahraouianArab, BerberMuslimHassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic NA NA% NA% NA%noneWestern SaharaSpanish Saharalegal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario s government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991nonenone (under de facto control of Morocco)none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign has yet to be completedcontingent upon resolution of sovereignty issuenonenonenoneWestern Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and lacking sufficient rainfall, depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Incomes and standards of living are substantially below the Moroccan level.purchasing power parity - $NANA%purchasing power parity - $NANA%NA%40%-45% (1996 est.)NA%NA%NA%NA%12,000animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%NA%$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAphosphate mining, handicraftsNA%90 million kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)83.7 million kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)$NAphosphates 62%Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts$NAfuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffsMorocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts$NA$NAMoroccan dirham (MAD)MADMoroccan dirhams per US dollar - 10.590 (January 2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996)calendar year Western Sahara Communicationsabout 2,000 (1999 est.)0 (1999) sparse and limited system NA tied into Morocco s system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, MoroccoAM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)56,000 (1997)NA6,000 (1997).eh1 (2000)NA Railways- 0 km6,200 km1,350 km4,850 km (1991 est.)noneAd Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)11 (2000 est.) 3 3 (2000 est.) 8 1 4 3 (2000 est.)1 (2000 est.)NA$NANA%international- claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991WorldGlobally, the 20th century was marked by- (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and water, the drop in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet s population continues to explode- from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war).World, Time Zones510.072 million sq km148.94 million sq km361.132 million sq km note- 70.8% of the world s surface is water, 29.2% is landland area about 16 times the size of the USthe land boundaries in the world total 251,480.24 km (not counting shared boundaries twice)356,000 km24 NM claimed by most, but can vary200-m depth claimed by most or to depth of exploitation; others claim 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive fishing zone- 200 NM claimed by most, but can vary200 NM claimed by most, but can vary12 NM claimed by most, but can vary note- boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 NM; 43 nations and other areas that are landlocked include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwetwo large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow temperate zones from a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climatesthe greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the Pacific OceanBentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 mMount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.)the rapid using up of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address10%1%26%32%31% (1993 est.)2,481,250 sq km (1993 est.)large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions)large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion6,157,400,560 (July 2001 est.) 29.6% (male 933,647,850; female 886,681,514) 63.4% (male 1,975,418,386; female 1,931,021,694) 7% (male 188,760,223; female 241,449,691) (2001 est.)1.25% (2001 est.)21.37 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)8.93 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)52.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 63.79 years 62.15 years 65.51 years (2001 est.)2.73 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANA267 nations, dependent areas, other, and miscellaneous entriesall members of the UN plus Switzerland are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court World EconomyGrowth in global output (gross world product, GWP) rose to 4.8% in 2000 from 3.5% in 1999, despite continued low growth in Japan, severe financial difficulties in other East Asian countries, and widespread dislocations in several transition economies. The US economy continued its remarkable sustained prosperity, growing at 5% in 2000, although growth slowed in fourth quarter 2000; the US accounted for 23% of GWP. The EU economies grew at 3.3% and produced 20% of GWP. China, the second largest economy in the world, continued its strong growth and accounted for 10% of GWP. Japan grew at only 1.3% in 2000; its share in GWP is 7%. As usual, the 15 successor nations of the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations experienced widely different rates of growth. The developing nations also varied in their growth results, with many countries facing population increases that eat up gains in output. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, and in Canada. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from the economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. Continued financial difficulties in East Asia, Russia, and many African nations, as well as the slowdown in US economic growth, cast a shadow over short-term global economic prospects; GWP probably will grow at 3-4% in 2001. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses serious economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. (For specific economic developments in each country of the world in 2000, see the individual country entries.)GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power parity - $43.6 trillion (2000 est.)4.8% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.)4%32%64% (1999 est.)NA%NA%all countries 25%; developed countries 1% to 3% typically; developing countries 5% to 60% typically (2000 est.) note- national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from stable prices in Japan to hyperinflation in a number of Third World countriesNAagricultue NA%, industry NA%, services NA%30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12% unemployment (2000 est.)dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces; the accelerated development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems6% (2000 est.)NA%NA%NA% NA%$6 trillion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and servicesin value, about 75% of exports from the developed countries$6 trillion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and servicesin value, about 75% of imports by the developed countries$2 trillion for less developed countries (2000 est.)traditional worldwide foreign aid $50 billion (1997 est.) World CommunicationsNANA NA NA NAAM NA, FM NA, shortwave NANANANA10,350 (2000 est.)407.1 million (2000 est.)1,201,337 km includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km of electrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the Far East, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and 4,160 km in North America; note - fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained by France s Societe Nationale des Chemins-de-Fer Francais (SNCF) Le Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) - Atlantique line broad gauge- 251,153 km710,754 km239,430 kmNA kmNA kmNA kmChiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, Mina al Ahmadi (Kuwait), New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohamaaggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide in 1999 remained at approximately the 1998 level, about three-quarters of a trillion dollars (1999 est.)roughly 2% of gross world product (1999 est.)YemenNorth Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border.Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia15 00 N, 48 00 EMiddle East527,970 sq km527,970 sq km0 sq km note- includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People s Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)slightly larger than twice the size of Wyomingtotal- 1,746 kmOman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km1,906 km24 NM200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin200 NM12 NMmostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in eastnarrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian PeninsulaArabian Sea 0 mJabal an Nabi Shu ayb 3,760 mpetroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west3%13%33.5%4%46.5% (1999)5,674 sq km (1999)sandstorms and dust storms in summervery limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertificationBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer ProtectionNuclear Test Banstrategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world s most active shipping lanes18,078,035 (July 2001 est.) 47.21% (male 4,340,436; female 4,195,076) 49.79% (male 4,598,301; female 4,402,402) 3% (male 274,202; female 267,618) (2001 est.)3.38% (2001 est.)43.36 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)9.58 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2001 est.)68.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 60.21 years 58.45 years 62.05 years (2001 est.)6.97 children born/woman (2001 est.)0.01% (1999 est.)NANAYemeni(s)Yemenipredominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, EuropeansMuslim including Shaf i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi a), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and HinduArabic age 15 and over can read and write 38% 53% 26% (1990 est.)Republic of YemenYemenAl Jumhuriyah al YamaniyahAl YamanrepublicSanaa17 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, Adan, Al Bayda , Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Ataq, Dhamar, Hadhramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma rib, Sa dah, San a , Ta izz note- there may be three more governorates- Al Daleh, Shabwah, and the capital city of Sana a22 May 1990, Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People s Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; previously North Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)Unification Day, 22 May (1990)16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalPresident Field Marshall Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994)Prime Minister Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL (since 4 April 2001)Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-year term (a new constitution amendment extends the term by two years to a seven-year term); election last held 23 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote- Ali Abdallah SALIH 96.3%, Najeeb Qahtan AL-SHAABI 3.7%a new constitutional amendment ratified on 20 February 2001 created a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) last held 27 April 1997 (next to be held 27 April 2003) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GPC 189, Islah 52, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Baath Party 2, independents 54, election pending 1; latest seats by party- GPC 223, Islah 64, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Baath Party 2, YSP 2, independents 7Supreme Courtthere are over 12 political parties active in Yemen, some of the more prominent are- General People s Congress or GPC [President Ali Abdallah SALIH]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR]; National Arab Socialist Baath Party [Dr. Qassim SALAAM]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abdel Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL] note- President SALIH s General People s Congress or GPC won a landslide victory in the April 1997 legislative election and no longer governs in coalition with Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR s Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah - the two parties had been in coalition since the end of the civil war in 1994; the YSP, a loyal opposition party, boycotted the April 1997 legislative election, but announced that it would participate in Yemen s first local elections to be held in February 2001; these local elections aim to decentralize political power and are a key element of the government s political reform programNAACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Abd al-Wahhab Abdallah al-HAJRI Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 965-4760 [1] (202) 337-2017 Ambassador Barbara K. BODINE Dhahar Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa [967] (1) 303-161 [967] (1) 303-182three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria which has two green stars and of Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band Yemen EconomyYemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, reported strong growth in the mid-1990s with the onset of oil production, but was harmed by low oil prices in 1998. Yemen has embarked on an IMF-supported structural adjustment program designed to modernize and streamline the economy, which has led to foreign debt relief and restructuring. Aided by higher oil prices in 1999-2000, Yemen worked to maintain tight control over spending and implement additional components of the IMF program. A high population growth rate of nearly 3.4% and internal political dissension complicate the government s task.purchasing power parity - $14.4 billion (2000 est.)6% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $820 (2000 est.)20%42%38% (1998)19% (1992 est.)2.3%30.8% (1992)10% (2000 est.)NAmost people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force30% (1995 est.)$3 billion$3.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cementNA%2.4 billion kWh (1999)100%0%0% 0% (1999)2.232 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish$4.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fishThailand 34%, China 26%, South Korea 14%, Japan 3% (1999)$2.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)food and live animals, machinery and equipmentSaudi Arabia 10%, UAE 8%, US 7%, France 7%, Italy 6% (1999)$4.4 billion (2000)$176.1 million (1995)Yemeni rial (YER)YERYemeni rials per US dollar - 164.590 (October 2000), 160.683 (2000), 155.718 (1999), 135.882 (1998), 129.281 (1997), 94.157 (1996)calendar year Yemen Communications291,359 (1999)32,042 (2000) since unification in 1990, efforts have been made to create a national telecommunications network the national network consists of microwave radio relay, cable, tropospheric scatter, and GSM cellular mobile telephone systems satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and DjiboutiAM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)1.05 million (1997)7 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)470,000 (1997).ye1 (2000)12,000 (2000) Railways- 0 km69,263 km9,963 km59,300 km (1999)nonecrude oil 644 km; petroleum products 32 kmAden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, As Salif, Mocha, Nishtun4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 15,075 GRT/23,562 DWTcargo 1, petroleum tanker 3 (2000 est.)50 (2000 est.) 13 2 8 1 1 1 (2000 est.) 37 2 9 8 13 5 (2000 est.)Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Presidential Guards, paramilitary (includes Police)14 years of agemales age 15-49- 4,103,093 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,303,257 (2001 est.)males- 238,690 (2001 est.)$414 million (FY99)7.6% (FY99)international- a June 2000 treaty delimited the boundary with Saudi Arabia, but final demarcation requires adjustments based on tribal considerationsYugoslaviaThe Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Occupation by Nazi Germany in 1941 was resisted by various partisan bands that fought themselves as well as the invaders. The group headed by Marshal TITO took full control upon German expulsion in 1945. Although communist in name, his new government successfully steered its own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In the early 1990s, post-TITO Yugoslavia began to unravel along ethnic lines- Slovenia, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia all declared their independence in 1991; Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" in 1992 and, under President Slobodan MILOSEVIC, Serbia led various military intervention efforts to unite Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." All of these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. In 1999, massive expulsions by Serbs of ethnic Albanians living in the autonomous republic of Kosovo provoked an international response, including the NATO bombing of Serbia and the stationing of NATO and Russian peacekeepers in Kosovo. Blatant attempts to manipulate presidential balloting in October of 2000 were followed by massive nationwide demonstrations and strikes that saw the election winner, Vojislav KOSTUNICA, replace MILOSEVIC.Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina44 00 N, 21 00 EEurope102,350 sq km102,136 sq km214 sq kmslightly smaller than Kentuckytotal- 2,246 kmAlbania 287 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km, Croatia (south) 25 km, Hungary 151 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km199 kmNAin the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); central portion, continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inlandextremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coastAdriatic Sea 0 mDaravica 2,656 moil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome, hydropower, arable land40%0%20.7%17.3%22% (1998 est.)NA sq kmdestructive earthquakespollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the DanubeAir Pollution, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, WetlandsBiodiversitycontrols one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast10,677,290 note- all data dealing with population is subject to considerable error because of the dislocations caused by military action and ethnic cleansing (July 2001 est.) 19.8% (male 1,095,905; female 1,024,123) 65.3% (male 3,415,728; female 3,553,343) 14.9% (male 681,559; female 906,632) (2001 est.)-0.27% (2001 est.)12.61 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)10.54 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.08 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)17.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 73.5 years 70.57 years 76.67 years (2001 est.)1.75 children born/woman (2001 est.)NA%NANASerb(s); Montenegrin(s)Serbian; MontenegrinSerb 62.6%, Albanian 16.5%, Montenegrin 5%, Hungarian 3.3%, other 12.6% (1991)Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11%Serbian 95%, Albanian 5% age 15 and over can read and write 93% 97.2% 88.9% (1991)Federal Republic of YugoslaviaYugoslaviaSavezna Republika JugoslavijaJugoslavijarepublicBelgrade2 republics (republike, singular - republika); and 2 nominally autonomous provinces* (autonomn pokrajine, singular - autonomna pokrajina); Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina*27 April 1992 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or FRY formed as self-proclaimed successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or SFRY)Republic Day, 29 November27 April 1992based on civil law system16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universalNAPresident Vojislav KOSTUNICA (since 7 October 2000)Prime Minister Dragisa PESIC (since 24 July 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub LABUS (since 25 January 2001)Federal Executive Council president elected by direct popular vote for up to two, four-year terms; election last held 24 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president Vojislav KOSTUNICA elected president; percent of vote - Vojislav KOSTUNICA 55%, Slobodan MILOSEVIC 35%bicameral Federal Assembly or Savezna Skupstina consists of the Chamber of Republics or Vece Republika (40 seats - 20 Serbian, 20 Montenegrin; members distributed on the basis of party representation in the republican assemblies to serve four-year terms; note - the Assembly passed a new constitutional amendment calling for direct elections for the deputies to the upper chamber) and the Chamber of Citizens or Vece Gradjana (138 seats - 108 Serbian with half elected by constituency majorities and half by proportional representation, 30 Montenegrin with six elected by constituency and 24 proportionally; members serve four-year terms) Chamber of Republics - last held 24 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004); Chamber of Citizens - last held 24 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) Chamber of Republics - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SNP 19, DOS 10, SPS/JUL 7, SRS 2, SPO 1, SNS 1; note - seats are filled on a proportional basis to reflect the composition of the legislatures of the republics of Montenegro and Serbia; since 1998 Serbia has effectively barred Montenegro from its constitutional right to delegate deputies to the Chamber of Republics; Chamber of Citizens - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - DOS 55, SPS/JUL 46, SNP 28, SRS 4, SNS 2, other 3Federal Court or Savezni Sud; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts are elected by the Federal Assembly for nine-year termsAlliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Jozsef KASZA]; Civic Alliance of Serbia or GSS [Vesna PESIC]; Coalition Sandzak [Rasim JAJIC]; Coalition Sumadija [Branislav KOVACEVIC]; Democratic Alternative of DA [Nebojsa COVIC]; Democratic Center or DC [Dragoljub MICUNOVIC]; Democratic Christian Party of Serbia of DHSS [Vladan BATIC]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Dr. Ibrahim RUGOVA, president]; Democratic Opposition of Serbia or DOS [leader NA]; Democratic Party or DS [Zoran DJINDJIC]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC]; Movement for a Democratic Serbia or PDS [Momcilo PERISIC]; New Democracy or ND [Dusan MIHAJLOVIC]; New Serbia [Velimir ILIC and Milan St. PROTIC]; People s Party of Montenegro or NS [Dragan SOC]; Serb People s Party or SNS [leader NA]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ]; Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO [Vuk DRASKOVIC, president]; Serbian Socialist Party or SPS (former Communist Party) [Slobodan MILOSEVIC]; Social Democracy or SD [Vuk OBRADOVIC]; Social Democratic Union or SDU [Zarko KORAC]; Socialist People s Party of Montenegro or SNP [Momir BULATOVIC]; Yugoslav United Left or JUL [Ljubisa RISTIC]Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [leader RAMUSH]; Group of 17 Independent Economists or G-17 [leader NA]; National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo or LKCK [Sabit GASHI]; Otpor Student Resistance Movement [leader NA]; Political Council for Presevo, Meveda and Bujanovac or PCPMB [leader NA]; The People s Movement for Kosovo or LPK [leader NA]BIS, CE (guest), FAO (applicant), G- 9, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Ambassador Milan PROTIC 2410 California St. NW, Washington, DC 20008 note- Yugoslavia restored its diplomatic mission in the US in November 2000 after temporarily ceasing its operations at the beginning of the March 1999 NATO bombing campaign Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affaires William MONTGOMERY Kneza Milosa 30, 11000 Belgrade note- the US reestablished relations with Yugoslavia 17 November 2000; the embassy is not scheduled to open for business until extensive renovations have been completedthree equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and red Yugoslavia EconomyThe swift collapse of the Yugoslav federation in 1991 was followed by highly destructive warfare, the destabilization of republic boundaries, and the breakup of important interrepublic trade flows. Output in Yugoslavia dropped by half in 1992-93. Like the other former Yugoslav republics, it had depended on its sister republics for large amounts of energy and manufactures. Wide differences in climate, mineral resources, and levels of technology among the republics accentuated this interdependence, as did the communist practice of concentrating much industrial output in a small number of giant plants. The breakup of many of the trade links, the sharp drop in output as industrial plants lost suppliers and markets, and the destruction of physical assets in the fighting all have contributed to the economic difficulties of the republics. Hyperinflation ended with the establishment of a new currency unit in June 1993; prices were relatively stable from 1995 through 1997, but inflationary pressures resurged in 1998. Reliable statistics continue to be hard to come by, and the GDP estimate is extremely rough. The economic boom anticipated by the government after the suspension of UN sanctions in December 1995 has failed to materialize. Government mismanagement of the economy is largely to blame, but the damage to Yugoslavia s infrastructure and industry by the NATO bombing during the war in Kosovo have added to problems. All sanctions now have been lifted. Yugoslavia is in the first stage of economic reform. Severe electricity shortages are chronic, the result of lack of investment by former regimes, depleted hydropower reservoirs due to extended drought, and lack of funds. GDP growth in 2000 was perhaps 15%, which made up for a large part of the 20% decline of 1999.purchasing power parity - $24.2 billion (2000 est.)15% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2000 est.)20%50%30% (1998 est.)NA%NA%NA%42% (1999 est.)1.6 million (1999 est.)agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%30% (2000 est.)$NA$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAmachine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; tanks and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery); metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium); mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone); consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances); electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals-22% (1999 est.)34.455 billion kWh (1999)70%30%0% 0% (1999)33.006 billion kWh (1999)960 million kWh (1999)1.923 billion kWh (1999)cereals, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, olives; cattle, sheep, goats$1.5 billion (1999)manufactured goods, food and live animals, raw materialsBosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany (1998)$3.3 billion (1999)machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, manufactured goods, chemicals, food and live animals, raw materialsGermany, Italy, Russia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1998)$14.1 billion (1999 est.)$NAnew Yugoslav dinar (YUM); note - in Montenegro the German deutsche mark is legal tender (1999)YUMnew Yugoslav dinars per US dollar - official rate- 10.0 (December 1998), 5.85 (December 1997), 5.02 (September 1996), 1.5 (early 1995); black market rate- 14.5 (December 1998), 8.9 (December 1997), 2 to 3 (early 1995)calendar year Yugoslavia Communications2.017 million (1995)87,000 (1997) NA NA satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)AM 113, FM 194, shortwave 2 (1998)3.15 million (1997)more than 771 (including 86 strong stations and 685 low-power stations, plus 20 repeaters in the principal networks; also numerous local or private stations in Serbia and Vojvodina) (1997)2.75 million (1997)9 (2000)80,000 (2000)4,095 km4,095 km 1.435-m gauge (1,377 km partially electrified since 1992) note- during to the 1999 Kosovo conflict, the Serbian rail system suffered significant damage due to bridge destruction; many rail bridges have been rebuilt, but the bridge over the Danube at Novi Sad was still down in early 2000; however, a by-pass is available; Montenegrin rail lines remain intact48,603 km28,822 km (including 560 km of expressways)19,781 km (1998 est.) note- because of the 1999 Kosovo conflict, many road bridges were destroyed; since the end of the conflict in June 1999, there has been an intensive program to either rebuild bridges or build by-pass routes587 km note- The Danube River, which connects Europe with the Black Sea, runs through Serbia; since early 2000, a pontoon bridge, replacing a destroyed conventional bridge, has obstructed river traffic at Novi Sad; the obstruction can be bypassed by a canal system but inadequate lock size limits the size of vessels which may pass (2001)crude oil 415 km; petroleum products 130 km; natural gas 2,110 kmBar, Belgrade, Kotor, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Tivat, Zelenika1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,437 GRT/400 DWTshort-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)47 (2000 est.) 19 2 5 5 3 4 (2000 est.) 28 2 12 14 (2000 est.)2 (2000 est.)Army (including ground forces with border troops, naval forces, air and air defense forces)19 years of agemales age 15-49- 2,600,362 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 2,088,595 (2001 est.)males- 82,542 (2001 est.)$760 million (FY00)NA%international- Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks independence from Yugoslavia; Croatia and Yugoslavia are negotiating the status of the strategically important Prevlaka Peninsula, which is currently under a UN military observer mission (UNMOP); the February 2001 agreement with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia settled alignment of boundary, stipulating implementation within two yearstransshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan routeZambiaThe territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until takeover by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties.Southern Africa, east of Angola15 00 S, 30 00 EAfrica752,614 sq km740,724 sq km11,890 sq kmslightly larger than Texastotal- 5,664 kmAngola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)mostly high plateau with some hills and mountainsZambezi river 329 munnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 mcopper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower7%0%40%39%14% (1993 est.)460 sq km (1993 est.)tropical storms (November to April)air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risksBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, WetlandsClimate Change-Kyoto Protocollandlocked9,770,199 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 47.36% (male 2,324,128; female 2,303,349) 50.14% (male 2,433,250; female 2,465,747) 2.5% (male 105,694; female 138,031) (2001 est.)1.93% (2001 est.)41.46 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)21.97 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)-0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)90.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 37.29 years 37.06 years 37.53 years (2001 est.)5.53 children born/woman (2001 est.)19.95% (1999 est.)870,000 (1999 est.)99,000 (1999 est.)Zambian(s)ZambianAfrican 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages age 15 and over can read and write English 78.2% 85.6% 71.3% (1995 est.)Republic of ZambiaZambiaNorthern RhodesiarepublicLusaka9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western24 October 1964 (from UK)Independence Day, 24 October (1964)2 August 1991based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)President Frederick CHILUBA (since 2 November 1991); Vice President Enoch KAVINDELE (since 4 May 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentPresident Frederick CHILUBA (since 2 November 1991); Vice President Enoch KAVINDELE (since 4 May 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001); vice president appointed by the president Frederick CHILUBA reelected president; percent of vote - Frederick CHILUBA 72.5%, Dean MUNGO MBA 12.6%, Humphrey MULEMBA 7%, Akashambatwa LEWANIKA 4.7%, Chama CHAKOMBOKA 3.2%unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 18 November 1996 (next to be held NA December 2001) percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MMD 131, NP 5, Zadeco 2, AZ 2, independents 10Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases)Agenda for Zambia or AZ [Akashambatwa LEWANIKA]; Labor Party or LP [Chibiza MFUNI]; Liberal Progressive Front or LPF [Roger CHONGWE, president]; Movement for Democratic Process or MDP [Chama CHAKOM BOKA]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Frederick CHILUBA]; National Party or NP [Daniel LISULO]; Republican Party or RP [Ben MWILA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Gwendoline Konie]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [Tilyenji KAUNDA]; United Party for National Development or UPND [Anderson MAZOKA]; Zambia Democratic Congress or Zadeco [Eden JERRY, acting head]NAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Atan SHANSONGA 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 [1] (202) 332-0826 Ambassador David B. DUNN corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka [260] (1) 250-955 [260] (1) 252-225green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag Zambia EconomyDespite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia s economy has a long way to go. Privatization of government-owned copper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. In late 2000, Zambia was determined to be eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Inflation and unemployment rates remain high, but the GDP growth rate should rise in 2001.purchasing power parity - $8.5 billion (2000 est.)4% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $880 (2000 est.)18%27%55% (1999 est.)86% (1993 est.)1.6%39.2% (1995)27.3% (2000 est.)3.4 millionagriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9%50% (2000 est.)$900 million$1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA million (1999 est.)copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer6.1% (2000 est.)7.642 billion kWh (1999)0.55%99.45%0% 0% (1999)5.926 billion kWh (1999)1.6 billion kWh (1999)419 million kWh (1999)corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides; coffee$928 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)copper, cobalt, electricity, tobaccoJapan, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, South Africa, US, Malaysia (1997)$1.05 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery, transportation equipment, fuels, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothingSouth Africa 48%, Saudi Arabia, UK, Zimbabwe (1997)$6.5 billion (2000)$1.99 billion (1995)Zambian kwacha (ZMK)ZMKZambian kwacha per US dollar - 4,024.53 (January 2001), 3,110.84 (2000), 2,388.02 (1999), 1,862.07 (1998), 1,314.50 (1997), 1,207.90 (1996)calendar year Zambia Communications77,935 (in addition there are about 40,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (1997)6,000 (1998) facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (1998)1.03 million (1997)9 (1997)277,000 (1997).zm3 (2000)15,000 (2000)2,164 km (1995)2,164 km 1.067-m gauge (13 km double track) note- the total includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi where it connects to the Zambia Railways system; TAZARA is not a part of the Zambia Railways system; Zambia Railways assets are scheduled for concessioning in 200166,781 kmNA kmNA km (1997 est.)2,250 km note- includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula riverscrude oil 1,724 kmMpulungu112 (2000 est.) 13 1 3 5 3 1 (2000 est.) 99 1 2 65 31 (2000 est.)Army, Air Force, National Service, policemales age 15-49- 2,246,640 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,193,047 (2001 est.)$76 million (FY97)1.8% (FY97)transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and possibly Europe; regional money-laundering centerZimbabweThe UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated to keep whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation s first prime minister, has been the country s only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country s political system since independence.Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia20 00 S, 30 00 EAfrica390,580 sq km386,670 sq km3,910 sq kmslightly larger than Montanatotal- 3,066 kmBotswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km0 km (landlocked)none (landlocked)tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in eastjunction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 mInyangani 2,592 mcoal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals7%0%13%23%57% (1993 est.)1,930 sq km (1993 est.)recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are raredeforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poachingBiodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionnone of the selected agreementslandlocked11,365,366 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.) 38.68% (male 2,223,332; female 2,172,479) 57.69% (male 3,319,982; female 3,236,286) 3.63% (male 208,785; female 204,502) (2001 est.)0.15% (2001 est.)24.68 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)23.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note- there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa in search of better paid employment 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)62.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 37.13 years 38.51 years 35.7 years (2001 est.)3.28 children born/woman (2001 est.)25.06% (1999 est.)1.5 million (1999 est.)160,000 (1999 est.)Zimbabwean(s)ZimbabweanAfrican 98% (Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1%syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects age 15 and over can read and write English 85% 90% 80% (1995 est.)Republic of ZimbabweZimbabweSouthern Rhodesia, Rhodesiaparliamentary democracyHarare8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands18 April 1980 (from UK)Independence Day, 18 April (1980)21 December 1979mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law18 years of age; universalnone (landlocked)Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentExecutive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentCabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote; election last held 16-17 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2002); co-vice presidents appointed by the president Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 92.7%, Abel MUZOREWA 4.8%; Ndabaningi SITHOLE 2.4%unicameral parliament, called House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by popular vote for six-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by provincial governors) last held 24-25 June 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 47.2%, MDC 45.6%, ZANU-Ndonga 0.7%, United Parties 0.7%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 63, MDC 56, ZANU-Ndonga 1Supreme Court; High CourtMovement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; Popular Democratic Front or PDF [Austin CHAKAODZA]; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Ndabaningi SITHOLE]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert MUGABE]; Zimbabwe Unity Movement or ZUM [Edgar TEKERE]National Constitutional Assembly or NCAACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 332-7100 [1] (202) 483-9326 Ambassador (vacant); Charge d Affairs Earl M. IRVING 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare P. O. Box 3340, Harare [263] (4) 250-593 [263] (4) 796487seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle Zimbabwe EconomyThe government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles to consolidate earlier moves to develop a market-oriented economy. Its involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, has already drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF suffers delays in part because of the country s failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 59% in 1999 and 60% in 2000. The economy is being steadily weakened by excessive government deficits and AIDS; Zimbabwe has the highest rate of infection in the world. Per capita GDP, which is twice the average of the poorer sub-Saharan nations, will increase little if any in the near-term, and Zimbabwe will suffer continued frustrations in developing its agricultural and mineral resources.purchasing power parity - $28.2 billion (2000 est.)-6.1% (2000 est.)purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2000 est.)28%32%40% (1997 est.)60% (1999 est.)1.8%46.9% (1990)60% (2000 est.)5.5 million (2000 est.)agriculture 66%, services 24%, industry 10% (1996 est.)50% (2000 est.)$2.5 billion$2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $279 million (FY96/97 est.)mining (coal, gold, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beveragesNA%5.78 billion kWh (1999)69.98%30.02%0% 0% (1999)6.939 billion kWh (1999)0 kWh (1999)1.564 billion kWh (1999)corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs$1.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)tobacco 29%, gold 7%, ferroalloys 7%, cotton 5% (1999 est.)South Africa 10%, UK 9%, Malawi 8%, Botswana 8%, Japan 7%, (1999 est.)$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactures 18%, chemicals 17%, fuels 14% (1999 est.)South Africa 46%, UK 6%, China 4%, Germany 4%, US 3% (1999 est.)$4.1 billion (2000 est.)$200 million (2000 est.)Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)ZWDZimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 54.9451 (January 2001), 43.2900 (2000), 38.3142 (1999), 21.4133 (1998), 11.8906 (1997), 9.9206 (1996)1 July - 30 June Zimbabwe Communications212,000 (in addition there are about 20,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (1997)70,000 (1999) system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed but unused main lines consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns and for some of the smaller ones satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru)AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998)1.14 million (1997)16 (1997)370,000 (1997).zw6 (2000)30,000 (1999)2,759 km (1995)2,759 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km double track) (1995 est.)18,338 km8,692 km9,646 km (1996 est.)the Mazoe and Zambezi rivers are used for transporting chrome ore from Harare to Mozambiquepetroleum products 212 kmBinga, Kariba455 (2000 est.) 18 3 2 4 9 (2000 est.) 437 4 209 224 (2000 est.)Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police)males age 15-49- 2,996,631 (2001 est.)males age 15-49- 1,860,167 (2001 est.)$127 million (FY99/00)3.1% (FY99/00)significant transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets