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ISSN 1553-8133 For additional and more current information on leadership in selected foreign countries, see World Leaders. Text Version   RSS   CIA - The World Factbook -- Mayotte a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Mayotte Introduction Mayotte Background: Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego independence. Geography Mayotte Location: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 12 50 S, 45 10 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 374 sq km land: 374 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Benara 660 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: part of Comoro Archipelago (18 islands) People Mayotte Population: 223,765 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.3% (male 50,985/female 50,413) 15-64 years: 52.9% (male 63,395/female 54,882) 65 years and over: 1.8% (male 2,085/female 2,005) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.2 years male: 18.1 years female: 16.4 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 3.317% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 39.79 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.36 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 1.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 56.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.91 years male: 60.65 years female: 65.24 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.5 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Ethnic groups: NA Religions: Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) 3% Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government Mayotte Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form: Mayotte Dependency status: departmental collectivity of France Government type: NA Capital: name: Mamoudzou geographic coordinates: 12 46 S, 45 13 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by Prefect Denis ROBIN (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the General Council Ahmed Attoumani DOUCHINA (since March 2008) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-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 term; next election to be held in 2010 Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 9 and 16 March 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 8, Diverse Right 4, independents 4, Citizens and Republic Movement 1, Democratic Movement 1, Diverse Left 1; note - political parties are all French note: Mayotte elects two members of the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UC-UDF 1, UMP 1; Mayotte also elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel Political parties and leaders: Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; Federation of Mahorans or UMP-RPR [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Force of the Rally and the Alliance for Democracy or FRAP; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Renewed Communist Party of Mayotte or MRC [Omar SIMBA]; Socialist Party or PS [Ibrahim ABUBACAR] (local branch of French Parti Socialiste); Union for French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: InOC, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: unofficial, local flag with the coat of arms of Mayotte centered on a white field, above which the name of the island appears in red capital letters; the main elements of the coat of arms, flanked on either side by a seahorse, appear above a scroll with the motto RA HACHIRI (We are Vigilant); the only official flag is the national flag of France Economy Mayotte Economy - overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism. GDP (purchasing power parity): $953.6 million (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,900 (2005 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $420 million expenditures: $394 million (2005) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra, fish, livestock Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: 139.2 million kWh (2005) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Exports: $6.5 million f.o.b. (2005) Exports - commodities: ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee, cinnamon Imports: $341 million f.o.b.; note - excludes petroleum imports (2005) Imports - commodities: food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals, chemicals Economic aid - recipient: $201.3 million; note - extensive French financial assistance (2005) Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications Mayotte Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications domestic: NA international: country code - 262; microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .yt Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: NA Transportation Mayotte Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Ports and terminals: Dzaoudzi Military Mayotte Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 35,849 females age 16-49: 34,456 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,517 female: 2,511 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France; a small contingent of French forces is stationed on the island Transnational Issues Mayotte Disputes - international: claimed by Comoros This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Burundi a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Burundi Introduction Burundi Background: Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country's last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many challenges. Geography Burundi Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 27,830 sq km land: 25,650 sq km water: 2,180 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January) Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Heha 2,670 m Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone Land use: arable land: 35.57% permanent crops: 13.12% other: 51.31% (2005) Irrigated land: 210 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 3.6 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%) per capita: 38 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: flooding, landslides, drought Environment - current issues: soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile People Burundi Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.2% (male 2,087,315/female 2,063,518) 15-64 years: 51.3% (male 2,291,123/female 2,320,839) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 89,444/female 135,852) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.7 years male: 16.5 years female: 17 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 3.279% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 41.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 12.91 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 4.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 59.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 52.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.09 years male: 51.2 years female: 53.01 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 110,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000 Religions: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10% Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 59.3% male: 67.3% female: 52.2% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 7 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2005) Government Burundi Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi local short form: Burundi former: Urundi Government type: republic Capital: name: Bujumbura geographic coordinates: 3 22 S, 29 21 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: 28 February 2005; ratified by popular referendum Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: NA years of age; universal (adult) Executive branch: chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Yves SAVINGUVU - Tutsi (since 9 November 2007); Second Vice President Gabriel NTISEZERANA - Hutu (since 9 February 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president by the parliament by a vote of 151 to 9; note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permits the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the legislature Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) elections: National Assembly - last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010); Senate - last held 29 July 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 58.6%, FRODEBU 21.7%, UPRONA 7.2%, CNDD 4.1%, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2.1%, others 6.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 59, FRODEBU 25, UPRONA 10, CNDD 4, MRC-Rurenzangemero 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 30, FRODEBU 3, CNDD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court) Political parties and leaders: governing parties: Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA]; Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Aloys RUBUKA] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard NYANGOMA]; National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group) other: Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Celestin NIYONGABO chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] 223454 FAX: [257] 222926 Flag description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below) Economy Burundi Economy - overview: Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the population. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Burundi's GDP grew around 5% annually in 2006-07, before increasing to 6% in 2008. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. Burundi will continue to remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors; the delay of funds after a corruption scandal cut off bilateral aid in 2007 reduced government's revenues and its ability to pay salaries. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.215 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $903 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.9% industry: 21.3% services: 45.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.99 million (2002) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 93.6% industry: 2.3% services: 4.1% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 68% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 32.8% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 28.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $292.2 million expenditures: $351.3 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10.12% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.84% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $208.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $141 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $342 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 87 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 120.9 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 40 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.6% hydro: 99.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,956 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 2,635 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$120 million (2008 est.) Exports: $47 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides Exports - partners: Germany 31.3%, Pakistan 6.8%, Belgium 5.8%, Sweden 4.3%, Rwanda 4.3%, France 4.2%, Sudan 4% (2007) Imports: $307 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 17%, Kenya 11.4%, Belgium 8.7%, France 6.1%, Uganda 5.4%, Germany 5.4%, India 4.8%, Pakistan 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $365 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $134 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (2003) Currency (code): Burundi franc (BIF) Currency code: BIF Exchange rates: Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,198 (2008 est.), 1,065 (2007), 1,030 (2006), 1,138 (2005), 1,100.91 (2004) Communications Burundi Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: primitive system; telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 3 per 100 persons domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .bi Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Burundi Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: total: 12,322 km paved: 1,286 km unpaved: 11,036 km (2004) Waterways: mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2008) Ports and terminals: Bujumbura Military Burundi Military branches: National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationales, FDN): Army (includes Naval Detachment and Air Wing), Gendarmerie (2008) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; children as young as 10 years of age have been conscripted into the armed forces; the enrollment of children is still not prohibited (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,878,544 females age 16-49: 1,851,676 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,124,072 females age 16-49: 1,102,729 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 101,402 female: 101,897 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Burundi Disputes - international: Burundi and Rwanda dispute sections of border on the Akanyaru/Kanyaru and the Kagera/Nyabarongo rivers, which have changed course since the 1960s, when the boundary was delimited; cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces persist in the Great Lakes region Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 9,849 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) IDPs: 100,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Burundi is a source country for children trafficked for the purposes of child soldiering, domestic servitude, and commercial sexual exploitation; a small number of Burundian children may be trafficked internally for domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation; in early 2008, Burundian children were allegedly trafficked to Uganda, via Rwanda, for agricultural labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Burundi is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year for its failure to provide sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; the government's inability to provide adequate protective services to children accused of association with armed groups and to conduct anti-trafficking law enforcement activities continue to be causes for concern; Burundi has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Paracel Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Paracel Islands Introduction Paracel Islands Background: The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Mischief Reef in 1999. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Geography Paracel Islands Location: 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 Philippines Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 518 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: tropical Terrain: mostly low and flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group People Paracel Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons Government Paracel Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands Economy Paracel Islands Economy - overview: China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. Transportation Paracel Islands Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Ports and terminals: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded Military Paracel Islands Military - note: occupied by China Transnational Issues Paracel Islands Disputes - international: occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Lesotho a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Lesotho Introduction Lesotho Background: Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled for the first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections of February 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties continue to periodically demonstrate their distrust of the results. Geography Lesotho Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 30,355 sq km land: 30,355 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone Land use: arable land: 10.87% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 89% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 5.2 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.05 cu km/yr (40%/40%/20%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: population 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 Africa Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m above sea level People Lesotho Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 373,159/female 368,271) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 629,346/female 654,054) 65 years and over: 5% (male 42,074/female 63,915) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.4 years male: 20.9 years female: 22 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.116% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 24.41 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 22.33 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 77.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 81.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.38 years male: 41.18 years female: 39.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.06 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 23.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 270,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 18,000 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%, Religions: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20% Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.8% male: 74.5% female: 94.5% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: 13% of GDP (2006) Government Lesotho Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho local long form: Kingdom of Lesotho local short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Maseru geographic coordinates: 29 19 S, 27 29 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Constitution: 2 April 1993 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: 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 exile head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May 1998) cabinet: Cabinet elections: 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 that 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 depose the monarch, determine who is next in the line of succession, or who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 17 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 4 Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on the advice of the Prime Minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional court Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Congress Parties or ACP including the Lesotho People's Congress or LCP [Kelebone MAOPE], the Basotholand African Congress or BAC [Khauhelo RALITAPOLE], and a faction of the Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Ntsukunyane MPHANYA]; All Basotho Convention or ABC [Thomas THABANE]; Basotho Batho Democratic Party or BBDP; Basotho Congress Party or BCP; Basotho Democratic National Party or BDNP [Thabang NYEOE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justin Metsing LEKHANYA]; Basotholand African National Congress or BANC; Christian Democratic Party or CDP [Enerst RAMOKOENA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD (the governing party) [Pakalitha MOSISILI]; Lesotho Workers Party or LWP [Macaefa BILLY]; National Independent Party or NIP [Anthony MANYELI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Media Institute of Southern Africa, Lesotho chapter [Thabang MATJAMA] (pushes for media freedom) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mabasia MOHOBANE chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert NOLAN embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 22 312666 FAX: [266] 22 310116 Flag description: three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence Economy Lesotho Economy - overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittances from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from the Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of government revenue. However, the government has recently strengthened its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 permitted the sale of water to South Africa and generated royalties for Lesotho. Lesotho produces about 90% of its own electrical power needs. As the number of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries, as well as a rapidly expanding apparel-assembly sector. The latter has grown significantly mainly due to Lesotho qualifying for the trade benefits contained in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. The economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture, especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF. In July 2007, Lesotho signed a Millennium Challenge Account Compact with the US worth $362.5 million. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.384 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.652 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.1% industry: 46.7% services: 38.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 838,000 (2000 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa industry and services: 14% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 43.4% (2002 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 39.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $523 million expenditures: $479.5 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12.82% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $439.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $160.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock Industries: food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 12% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 200 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 226 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 50 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2007 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,400 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 1,500 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $666 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.06 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000) Exports - partners: US 71.5%, Belgium 25.6%, Canada 1.2% (2007) Imports: $1.339 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products Imports - partners: China 30%, Hong Kong 29.6%, India 10%, South Korea 6.6%, Germany 6.4%, Pakistan 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $68.82 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $799 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $628 million (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR) Currency code: LSL; ZAR Exchange rates: maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.25 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Communications Lesotho Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: rudimentary system consisting of a modest but growing number of landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a small radiotelephone communication system; mobile-cellular telephone system is expanding domestic: privatized in 2001, Telecom Lesotho tasked with providing an additional 50,000 fixed-line connections within five years, a target not met; mobile-cellular service is expanding with a subscribership approaching 25 per 100 persons; rural services are scant international: country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 1 (2007) Radios: NA (2002) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: NA Internet country code: .ls Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Lesotho Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 21 (2007) Roadways: total: 7,091 km paved: 1,404 km unpaved: 5,687 km (2003) Military Lesotho Military branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army (includes Air Wing) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 525,203 females age 16-49: 522,485 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 267,083 females age 16-49: 240,868 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 26,039 female: 25,964 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006) Military - note: Lesotho's declared policy is maintenance of its independent sovereignty and preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa; restructuring of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and Ministry of Defense and Public Service over the past five years has focused on subordinating the defense apparatus to civilian control and restoring the LDF's cohesion; the restructuring has considerably improved capabilities and professionalism, but the LDF is disproportionately large for a small, poor country; the government has outlined a reduction to a planned 1,500-man strength, but these plans have met with vociferous resistance from the political opposition and from inside the LDF (2008) Transnational Issues Lesotho Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Sweden a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Sweden Introduction Sweden Background: A 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 was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. Geography Sweden Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 449,964 sq km land: 410,934 sq km water: 39,030 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km Coastline: 3,218 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m Natural resources: iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 5.93% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 94.06% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 179 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%) per capita: 296 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic Environment - current issues: acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas People Sweden Population: 9,059,651 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.7% (male 733,597/female 692,194) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 3,003,358/female 2,927,038) 65 years and over: 18.8% (male 753,293/female 950,171) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.5 years male: 40.4 years female: 42.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.158% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 10.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.24 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.86 years male: 78.59 years female: 83.26 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,200 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish Ethnic groups: indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Religions: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13% Languages: Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7.1% of GDP (2005) Government Sweden Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Stockholm geographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands Independence: 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king) National holiday: Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983) Constitution: 1 January 1975 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: Center-right coalition of Moderate, Center, Liberal, and Christian Democrats parties win 175 out of 349 votes; Fredrik REINFELDT becomes prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 37.2%, Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, Liberal People's Party 8.0%, Christian Democrats 6.9%, Left Party 6.3%, Greens 5.4%; seats by party - Social Democrats 130, Moderates 97, Center Party 29, Liberal People's Party 28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran HAGGLUND]; Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Jan BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Children's Rights in Society; Central Association of Salarited Emplyees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO other: media International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM chancery: 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires, Robert J. SILVERMAN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64 Flag description: blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Sweden Economy - overview: Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th 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. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. 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 1% of GDP and 2% of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in the fourth as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. On 3 February 2009, the Swedish Government announced a $6 billon rescue package for the banking sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $358.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $512.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $39,600 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 28.9% services: 69.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.9 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.1% industry: 28.2% services: 70.7% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22.2% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 19.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $270.5 billion expenditures: $258.6 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 36.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (November 2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: Stock of money: $217.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $48.49 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $630.8 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $612.5 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Industrial production growth rate: 1.1% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 143.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 133.6 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 14.74 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - imports: 16.61 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% nuclear: 43% other: 2.3% (2001) Oil - production: 2,350 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 353,700 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 219,200 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 581,000 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.006 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.006 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $35.22 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $185.1 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals Exports - partners: Germany 10.4%, Norway 9.4%, US 7.6%, Denmark 7.4%, UK 7.1%, Finland 6.4%, Netherlands 5.1%, France 5%, Belgium 4.6% (2007) Imports: $166.6 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing Imports - partners: Germany 18.4%, Denmark 9.2%, Norway 8.3%, UK 6.8%, Finland 6.1%, Netherlands 5.8%, France 5%, China 4.3%, Belgium 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $3.955 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $31.04 billion (2006 est.) Debt - external: $598.2 billion (30 June 2006) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $225.9 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $289.6 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Swedish krona (SEK) Currency code: SEK Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 6.4074 (2008 est.), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004) Communications Sweden Telephones - main lines in use: 5.506 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 10.371 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetration domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels international: country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; 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) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 124, shortwave 0 (2008) Radios: 8.25 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 4.6 million (1997) Internet country code: .se Internet hosts: 3.579 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 7 million (2007) Transportation Sweden Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 152 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 75 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 38 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 98 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 92 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 786 km (2008) Railways: total: 11,528 km standard gauge: 11,528 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 425,300 km paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,000 km (2008) Waterways: 2,052 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 195 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 23, carrier 1, chemical tanker 45, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 25 foreign-owned: 41 (Denmark 4, Estonia 2, Finland 12, Germany 5, Italy 9, Norway 7, UK 2) registered in other countries: 207 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 4, Barbados 7, Bermuda 20, Cook Islands 8, Cyprus 2, Denmark 6, Finland 2, France 9, Germany 1, Gibraltar 13, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 28, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 34, Panama 6, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 20, UK 17, US 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Lulea, Malmo, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby Military Sweden Military branches: Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation: 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47 (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,052,890 females age 16-49: 1,980,550 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,705,746 females age 16-49: 1,645,070 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 62,262 female: 59,340 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Sweden Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- United Arab Emirates a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   United Arab Emirates Introduction United Arab Emirates Background: The 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 United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. Geography United Arab Emirates Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 83,600 sq km land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km Coastline: 1,318 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005) Irrigated land: 760 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.2 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%) per capita: 511 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People United Arab Emirates Population: note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net inmigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.4% (male 500,928/female 478,388) 15-64 years: 78.7% (male 2,768,030/female 1,008,404) 65 years and over: 0.9% (male 27,601/female 15,140) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.1 years male: 32 years female: 24.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 3.689% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 16.06 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 2.13 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 22.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.74 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.82 male(s)/female total population: 2.19 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.11 years male: 73.56 years female: 78.78 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.18% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati Ethnic groups: Emirati 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) Religions: Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4% Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003) Education expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2005) Government United Arab Emirates Country name: conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE Government type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates Capital: name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn) Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 December (1971) Constitution: 2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996 Legal system: based on a dual system of Sharia and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SULTAN bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) and HAMDAN bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits) from among the seven FSC members; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held in 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid Al-Maktum Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for one half of the FNC (the other half remains appointed) held in the UAE on 18-20 December 2006; the new electoral college - a body of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates - were the only eligible voters and candidates; 456 candidates including 65 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats; one female from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi won a seat and 8 women were among the 20 appointed members note: reviews legislation but cannot change or veto Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: none; political parties are not allowed Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yousef bin Mani Saeed al-OTAIBA chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 consulate(s): New York, Houston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard G. OLSON, Jr. embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2603 consulate(s) general: Dubai Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side Economy United Arab Emirates Economy - overview: The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP based on oil and gas output to 25%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, 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. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US. The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in 2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. The global financial crisis and the resulting tight international credit market and falling oil prices have already begun to deflate asset prices and will result in slower economic growth for 2009. Dependence on oil and a large expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $186.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $270 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 8.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $40,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.6% industry: 61.8% services: 36.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.266 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 20.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $83.15 billion expenditures: $48.3 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.4% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Stock of money: $49.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $104.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $155.4 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $224.7 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish Industries: petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 7.7% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 62.76 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 57.88 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 2.948 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 381,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 2.703 million bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 232,300 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 48.79 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 43.11 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 6.848 billion cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.343 billion cu m (2005) Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.071 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $36.41 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $207.7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates Exports - partners: Japan 23.6%, South Korea 9.2%, Thailand 5%, India 4.8% (2007) Imports: $141.1 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Imports - partners: China 12.8%, India 10%, US 8.7%, Japan 6.1%, Germany 5.9%, UK 5.3%, Italy 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - donor: since its founding in 1971, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has given about $5.2 billion in aid to 56 countries (2004) Economic aid - recipient: $5.36 million (2004) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $67.24 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $73.71 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $62.69 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $28.95 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Emirati dirham (AED) Currency code: AED Exchange rates: Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.673 (2008 est.), 3.673 (2007), 3.673 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004) note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002 Communications United Arab Emirates Telephones - main lines in use: 1.385 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.595 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable international: country code - 971; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .ae Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 2.3 million (2007) Transportation United Arab Emirates Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 458 km; gas 2,129 km; liquid petroleum gas 220 km; oil 1,310 km; refined products 212 km; water 90 km (2008) Roadways: total: 4,080 km paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 58 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, container 8, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 14 (Denmark 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 10) registered in other countries: 313 (Bahamas 23, Bahrain 1, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 7, Cyprus 9, Dominica 1, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 3, Hong Kong 1, India 6, Indonesia 2, Iran 1, Jordan 13, North Korea 8, Liberia 23, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 15, Mexico 1, Netherlands 5, Panama 109, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 8, Singapore 12, Somalia 1, Turkey 1, UK 9, unknown 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mina' Zayid (Abu Dhabi), Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah), Khawr Fakkan (Sharjah) Military United Arab Emirates Military branches: United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, National Coast Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for officers and women; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,405,884 (includes non-nationals) females age 16-49: 884,853 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,081,491 females age 16-49: 788,632 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 26,659 female: 23,793 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues United Arab Emirates Disputes - international: boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies Illicit drugs: the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Bhutan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Bhutan Introduction Bhutan Background: In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Geography Bhutan Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Elevation extremes: lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate Land use: arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005) Irrigated land: 400 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 95 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season Environment - current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes People Bhutan Population: note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for this country, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 106,410/female 102,164) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 235,988/female 208,484) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 20,169/female 17,926) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 23.9 years male: 24.5 years female: 23.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.267% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 20.56 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 49.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.13 years male: 65.33 years female: 66.97 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7% of GDP (2005) Government Bhutan Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Independence: 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king) National holiday: National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Constitution: ratified 18 July 2008 Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him; the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new King-who had limited experience-deeper administrative expertise under the guidance of this father head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister Legislative branch: new bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which will serve as chief court of appeal Political parties and leaders: Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled) other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community International organization participation: ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side Economy Bhutan Economy - overview: The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's GDP growth. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.294 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.368 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.3% industry: 37.9% services: 39.8% (2006) Labor force: NA note: major shortage of skilled labor Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 63% industry: 6% services: 31% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $272 million expenditures: $350 million note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Public debt: 81.4% of GDP (2004) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.9% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $381.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $220.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $169.9 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (1996 est.) Electricity - production: 4.475 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 528.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 3.644 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 11 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,250 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 1,152 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $116 million (2007 est.) Exports: $350 million f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices Exports - partners: India 58.6%, Hong Kong 30.1%, Bangladesh 7.3% (2007) Imports: $320 million c.i.f. (2006) Imports - commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice Imports - partners: India 74.5%, Japan 7.4%, Sweden 3.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $941.2 million; note - substantial aid from India (2006) Debt - external: $713.3 million (2006) Currency (code): ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) Currency code: BTN; INR Exchange rates: ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003) note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee Communications Bhutan Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services domestic: very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003 international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .bt Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: Transportation Bhutan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 8,050 km paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003) Military Bhutan Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 190,104 females age 16-49: 167,289 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 150,210 females age 16-49: 135,991 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 7,668 female: 7,379 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Bhutan Disputes - international: Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Slovenia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Slovenia Introduction Slovenia Background: The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named 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 by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Geography Slovenia Location: Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia Geographic coordinates: 46 07 N, 14 49 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 20,273 sq km land: 20,151 sq km water: 122 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,086 km border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 455 km, Hungary 102 km, Italy 199 km Coastline: 46.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests Land use: arable land: 8.53% permanent crops: 1.43% other: 90.04% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 32.1 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.9 per capita: 457 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: flooding and earthquakes Environment - current issues: Sava 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 rain Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes People Slovenia Population: 2,005,692 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 139,880/female 131,826) 15-64 years: 69.9% (male 707,219/female 695,470) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 129,662/female 201,635) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.7 years male: 40.1 years female: 43.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.113% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 8.99 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.51 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.92 years male: 73.25 years female: 80.84 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 280 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian Ethnic groups: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census) Religions: Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census) Languages: Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6% of GDP (2005) Government Slovenia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form: Slovenia local long form: Republika Slovenija local short form: Slovenija former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Ljubljana geographic coordinates: 46 03 N, 14 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse, Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zuzemberk, Zrece note: the Government of Slovenia has reported 210 municipalities Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, amended 14 July 1997 and 25 July 2000 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed) Executive branch: chief of state: President Danilo TURK (since 22 December 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Borut PAHOR (since 7 November 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 October and 11 November 2007 (next to be held in the 8 October 2012); 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 on 9 November 2004 (next National Assembly elections to be held in October 2008) election results: Danilo TURK elected president; percent of vote - Danilo TURK 68.2%, Alojze PETERLE 31.8%; Borut PAHOR elected prime minister by National Assembly vote in 2008 Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 40 members are directly elected and 50 are elected on a proportional basis; note - the number of directly elected and proportionally elected seats varies with each election; the constitution mandates 1 seat each for Slovenia's Hungarian and Italian minorities; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve five-year terms; note - this is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers; it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decision, and call national referenda) elections: National Assembly - last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held 8 October 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SD 30.5%, SDS 29.3%, ZARES 9.4%, DeSUS 7.5%, SNS 5.5%, SLS+SMS 5.2%, LDS 5.2%, other 7.4%; seats by party - SD 29, SDS 28, ZARES 9, DeSUS 7, SNS 5, SLS+SMS 5, LDS 5, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1 Judicial branch: 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) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democracy of Slovenia or LDS [Katarina KRESAL]; New Slovenia or NSi [Ljudmila NOVAK (acting)]; Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA]; Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Karl ERJAVEC]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People's Party or SLS [Bojan SROT]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Darko KRANJC]; Social Democrats or SD [Borut PAHOR] (formerly ZLSD); ZARES [Gregor Golobic] Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Party of Slovenian Pensioners or DeSUS (protecting the rights of the older generation); Slovenian Roma Association [Jozek Horvat MUC] other: Catholic Church International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mariam MOZGAN chancery: 2410 California Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 386-6601 FAX: [1] (202) 386-6633 consulate(s) general: Cleveland, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brad FREDEN embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555 Flag description: three 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 in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands Economy Slovenia Economy - overview: Slovenia, which on 1 January 2007 became the first 2004 European Union entrant to adopt the euro, is a model of economic success and stability for the region. With the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe, Slovenia has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe. Privatization has lagged since 2002, and the economy has one of highest levels of state control in the EU. Structural reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for somewhat greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower unemployment. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In December 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the accession process for joining the OECD. Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high. Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere. GDP (purchasing power parity): $61.79 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $57.01 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $30,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 34.2% services: 63.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 920,000 (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.5% industry: 36% services: 61.5% (2007) Unemployment rate: 6.7% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 21.4% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 27.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $23.16 billion expenditures: $22.93 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 22% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.82% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $9.347 billion (31 December 2006) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders (31 December 2006) Stock of quasi money: $12.69 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $28.96 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry Industries: ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 14.13 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 13.4 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 5.894 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 6.14 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% nuclear: 36.8% other: 0.7% (2001) Oil - production: 5 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 54,310 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 4,535 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 59,110 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 4 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.105 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.073 billion cu m (2005) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$3.706 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $34.27 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Exports - partners: Germany 18.7%, Italy 12.5%, Croatia 8%, Austria 7.5%, France 5.9%, Russia 4.4% (2007) Imports: $38.12 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food Imports - partners: Germany 18.1%, Italy 17.1%, Austria 11.7%, France 5%, Croatia 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $484 million (2004-06) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $8.912 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $40.42 billion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.51 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $7.527 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 2007, the euro became Slovenia's currency; both the tolar and the euro were in circulation from 1 January until 15 January 2007 Currency code: SIT Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.67 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), tolars per US dollar - 190.85 (2006), 192.71 (2005), 192.38 (2004) note: Slovenia adopted the euro as its currency on 1 January 2007 Communications Slovenia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.928 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: well-developed telecommunications infrastructure domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 140 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 386 Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 230, shortwave 0 (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .si Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1.3 million (2007) Transportation Slovenia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2007) Pipelines: gas 840 km; oil 11 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,229 km standard gauge: 1,229 km 1.435-m gauge (504 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 38,562 km paved: 38,562 km (includes 579 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: some transport on Danube River (2008) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 29 (Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas 1, Cyprus 4, Liberia 3, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Singapore 1, Slovakia 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Koper Military Slovenia Military branches: Slovenian Army (includes air and naval forces) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 494,496 females age 16-49: 481,180 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 402,484 females age 16-49: 390,559 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 10,192 female: 9,717 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Slovenia Disputes - international: the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute; Slovenia also protests Croatia's 2003 claim to an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovenia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia Illicit drugs: minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Armenia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Armenia Introduction Armenia Background: Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian separatists' control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Geography Armenia Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 29,743 sq km land: 28,454 sq km water: 1,289 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Terrain: Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite Land use: arable land: 16.78% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.21% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,860 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 10.5 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.95 cu km/yr (30%/4%/66%) per capita: 977 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts Environment - current issues: soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range People Armenia Population: 2,967,004 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.2% (male 289,119/female 252,150) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 986,764/female 1,123,708) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 122,996/female 192,267) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 31.5 years male: 28.8 years female: 34.4 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.03% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 12.53 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.34 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.68 years male: 69.06 years female: 76.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Ethnic groups: Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census) Religions: Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3% Languages: Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2001) Government Armenia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Yerevan geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan Independence: 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Constitution: adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Tigran SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 19 February 2008 (next to be held February 2013); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Serzh SARGSIAN elected president; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN 52.9%, Levon TER-PETROSSIAN 21.5%, Artur BAGHDASARIAN 16.7% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, Prosperous Armenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party 6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF (Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Political parties and leaders: Armenian National Congress or ANC [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABYAN]; Armenian People's Party [Tigran KARAPETYAN]; Armenian Ramkavar Azadagan Party Alliance or HRAK (includes former Dashink Party, National Revival Party, and Ramkavar Liberal Party); Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARYAN]; Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISYAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMYAN]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSAROUKYAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Republican Party of Armenia or HHK [Serzh SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENYAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Aylentrank (Impeachment) [Nikol PASHINYAN]; Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] International organization participation: ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](10) 464-700 FAX: [374](10) 464-742 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange Economy Armenia Economy - overview: Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has made progress in implementing many economic reforms including privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies. The conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates. Economic growth has averaged over 10% in recent years. Armenia has managed to reduce poverty, slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Nuclear power plants built at Metsamor in the 1970s were closed following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, though they sustained no damage. One of the two reactors was re-opened in 1995, but the Armenian government is under international pressure to close it due to concerns that the Soviet era design lacks important safeguards. Metsamor provides 40 percent of the country's electricity - hydropower accounts for about one-fourth. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's RAO-UES in 2005. Construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Iran to Armenia is scheduled for completion in Spring 2009. Armenia has some mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite). Pig iron, unwrought copper, and other nonferrous metals are Armenia's highest valued exports. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures will be more difficult to implement. Despite strong economic growth, Armenia's unemployment rate remains high. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness and to build on recent improvements in poverty and unemployment, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The disruption of rail transit into Armenia during the Georgia-Russia conflict in August 2008 highlighted how Armenia's supply chains for key goods - such as gasoline - were vulnerable to instances of regional instability. GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $12.07 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,600 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.2% industry: 36.4% services: 46.4% (2007 est.) Labor force: 1.2 million (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 46.2% industry: 15.6% services: 38.2% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 26.5% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.3% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 34.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.438 billion expenditures: $2.696 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank (2 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.507 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $765.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.256 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $105 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock Industries: diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 5.544 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 4.539 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 322.6 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 400.6 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% nuclear: 30.7% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 41,090 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 44,670 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.05 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.05 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006) Current account balance: -$877 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.225 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy Exports - partners: Russia 17.5%, Germany 14.7%, Netherlands 13.5%, Belgium 8.7%, Georgia 7.6%, US 6.6%, Switzerland 4.3%, Bulgaria 4.1%, Ukraine 4% (2007) Imports: $3.546 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds Imports - partners: Russia 15.1%, Ukraine 7.7%, Kazakhstan 7.4%, Germany 6.8%, China 6%, France 4.6%, US 4.5%, Iraq 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $180 million (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.954 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.372 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Currency (code): dram (AMD) Currency code: AMD Exchange rates: drams (AMD) per US dollar - 303.93 (2008 est.), 344.06 (2007), 414.69 (2006), 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004) Communications Armenia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005 domestic: reliable modern landline and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 16, shortwave 1 (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 48 (private television stations alongside 2 public networks; major Russian channels widely available) (2006) Televisions: Internet country code: .am Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Armenia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Pipelines: gas 2,233 km (2008) Railways: total: 839 km broad gauge: 839 km 1.520-m gauge (828 km electrified) note: some lines are out of service (2006) Roadways: total: 7,700 km paved: 7,700 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) (2006) Military Armenia Military branches: Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense, Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force (NKSDF) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 809,576 females age 16-49: 870,864 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 642,734 females age 16-49: 729,047 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,293 female: 25,574 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (FY01) Transnational Issues Armenia Disputes - international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; Armenians continue to emigrate, primarily to Russia, seeking employment Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 113,295 (Azerbaijan) IDPs: 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, majority have returned home since 1994 ceasefire) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Armenia is primarily a source country for women and girls trafficked to the UAE and Turkey for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Armenian men and women are trafficked to Turkey and Russia for the purpose of forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Armenia is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fourth consecutive year; its efforts to increase compliance with the minimum standards were assessed based on its commitments to undertake future actions, particularly in the areas of improving victim protection and assistance; while the government elevated anti-trafficking responsibilities to the ministerial level, adopted a new National Action Plan, and drafted a National Referral Mechanism, it has yet to show tangible progress in identifying and protecting victims or in tackling trafficking complicity of government officials; the Armenian Government made some notable improvements in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, but it failed to demonstrate evidence of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences of officials complicit in trafficking (2008) Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Holy See (Vatican City) a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Holy See (Vatican City) Introduction Holy See (Vatican City) Background: Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the environment, the Middle East, China, the decline of religion in Europe, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. Geography Holy See (Vatican City) Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 0.44 sq km land: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) Terrain: urban; low hill Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification Geography - note: landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence) People Holy See (Vatican City) Population: 826 (July 2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.003% (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: none adjective: none Ethnic groups: Italians, Swiss, other Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian, Latin, French, various other languages Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Government Holy See (Vatican City) Country name: conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) Government type: ecclesiastical Capital: name: Vatican City geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century National holiday: Election Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 19 April (2005) Constitution: Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929) Legal system: based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Executive branch: chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006) cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State Judicial branch: there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946 Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) International organization participation: CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WFTU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Julieta NOYES embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 833, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 575-3411 Flag description: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band Economy Holy See (Vatican City) Economy - overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world; by the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: note: essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican Population below poverty line: NA% Budget: revenues: $310 million expenditures: $307 million (2006) Fiscal year: calendar year Industries: printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy; a small portion of electricity is self-produced from solar panels Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications Holy See (Vatican City) Telephones - main lines in use: Telephone system: general assessment: automatic digital exchange domestic: connected via fiber optic cable to Telecom Italia network international: country code - 39; uses Italian system Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2008) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: Televisions: NA Internet country code: .va Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: Military Holy See (Vatican City) Military branches: Pontifical Swiss Guard (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) (2007) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard Transnational Issues Holy See (Vatican City) Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Albania a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Albania Introduction Albania Background: Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997, however, there have been claims of electoral fraud in every one of Albania's post-communist elections. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Albania was invited to join NATO in April 2008 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Geography Albania Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 28,748 sq km land: 27,398 sq km water: 1,350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 717 km border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 20.1% permanent crops: 4.21% other: 75.69% (2005) Irrigated land: 3,530 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 41.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%) per capita: 546 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) People Albania Population: 3,639,453 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.1% (male 440,528/female 400,816) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,251,001/female 1,190,841) 65 years and over: 9.8% (male 165,557/female 190,710) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.9 years male: 29.3 years female: 30.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.546% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 15.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.96 years male: 75.28 years female: 80.89 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Ethnic groups: Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.) note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization) Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Languages: Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects Literacy: definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.2% female: 98.3% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2004) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2002) Government Albania Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania Government type: emerging democracy Capital: name: Tirana (Tirane) geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore Independence: 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Constitution: approved by parliament on 21 October 1998; adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998 Legal system: has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament elections: president elected by the Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Bamir TOPI elected president; Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19 note: Parliament in November 2008 approved an electoral reform package - which is awaiting presidential approval - that will transform the electoral system from a majority system to a regional proportional system; the code will also establish an electoral threshold limiting smaller party representation Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals and district courts Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; G99 Political Movement [Erion VELIAJ]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Artur ROSHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Socialist Party 1991 [Petro KOCI]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA] International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. John L. WITHERS, II embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 2247285 FAX: [355] (4) 2232222 Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Economy Albania Economy - overview: Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth has averaged around 5% over the last five years and inflation is low and stable. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad representing about 15% of GDP, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The agricultural sector, which accounts for over half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment and lack of success in attracting new foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and plans to improve transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $23.07 billion note: Albania has a large gray economy that may be as large as 50% of official GDP (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $13.52 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.6% industry: 19.9% services: 59.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (September 2006 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 58% industry: 15% services: 27% (September 2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.5% official rate, but may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 24.4% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 22.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.771 billion expenditures: $4.538 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 51.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.1% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.707 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $6.433 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.341 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 2.892 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 3.607 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 6,425 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 30,900 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 749 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 24,860 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 199.1 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 30 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 30 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 849.5 million cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$1.639 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $1.416 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco Exports - partners: Italy 72%, Greece 8.8%, China 2.7% (2007) Imports: $4.844 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals Imports - partners: Italy 27.6%, Greece 14.8%, Turkey 7.4%, China 6.8%, Germany 5.6%, Switzerland 5%, Russia 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA: $318.7 million note: top donors were Italy, EU, Germany (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.479 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.55 billion (2004) Currency (code): lek (ALL) note: the plural of lek is leke Currency code: ALL Exchange rates: leke (ALL) per US dollar - 79.546 (2008 est.), 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004) Communications Albania Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.3 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 75 telephones per 100 persons domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005) Radios: 1 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005) Televisions: Internet country code: .al Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Albania Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2008) Railways: total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 18,000 km paved: 7,020 km unpaved: 10,980 km (2002) Waterways: 43 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 24 by type: cargo 22, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Military Albania Military branches: Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation Brigade Commands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command), Training and Doctrine Command (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 944,592 females age 16-49: 908,527 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 800,665 females age 16-49: 768,536 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 34,778 female: 31,673 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.49% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Albania Disputes - international: the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Trafficking in persons: current situation: Albania is a source country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; it is no longer considered a major country of transit; Albanian victims are trafficked to Greece, Italy, Macedonia, and Kosovo, with many trafficked onward to Western European countries; children were also trafficked to Greece for begging and other forms of child labor; approximately half of all Albanian trafficking victims are under age 18; internal sex trafficking of women and children is on the rise tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Albania is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of victim protection; the government did not appropriately identify trafficking victims during 2007, and has not demonstrated that it is vigorously investigating or prosecuting complicit officials (2008) Illicit drugs: increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Curacao a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none} UNCLASSIFIED   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Curacao This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 22 October, 2008   UNCLASSIFIED CIA - The World Factbook -- South Africa a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   South Africa Introduction South Africa Background: Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the East, founding the city of Cape Town. After 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); however, the British and the Afrikaners, as the Boers became known, ruled together under the Union of South Africa. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in black majority rule under the African National Congress (ANC). ANC infighting, which has grown in recent years, came to a head in September 2008 after President Thabo MBEKI resigned. Kgalema MOTLANTHE, the party's General-Secretary, succeeded as interim president until general elections scheduled for 2009. Geography South Africa Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,219,912 sq km land: 1,219,912 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,862 km border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km Coastline: 2,798 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas Land use: arable land: 12.1% permanent crops: 0.79% other: 87.11% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,980 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 50 cu km (1990) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 12.5 cu km/yr (31%/6%/63%) per capita: 264 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts Environment - current issues: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland People South Africa Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 7,093,328/female 7,061,579) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 16,275,424/female 15,984,181) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,075,117/female 1,562,860) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.4 years male: 24.1 years female: 24.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.281% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 20.23 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 16.94 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 61% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.98 years male: 49.81 years female: 48.13 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 18.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5.7 million (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 350,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2008) Nationality: noun: South African(s) adjective: South African Ethnic groups: black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001 census) Religions: Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census) Languages: IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 87% female: 85.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2006) Government South Africa Country name: conventional long form: Republic of South Africa conventional short form: South Africa former: Union of South Africa abbreviation: RSA Government type: republic Capital: name: Pretoria (administrative capital) geographic coordinates: 25 42 S, 28 13 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North-West, Western Cape Independence: 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared) 27 April 1994 (majority rule) National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) Constitution: 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 4 February 1997 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 25 September 2008); Executive Deputy President Baleka MBETE (since 25 September 2008); note - Thabo MBEKI resigned as president effective 25 September 2008; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 25 September 2008); Executive Deputy President Baleka MBETE (since 25 September 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 September 2008 (next to be held in April 2009); note - Kgalema MOTLANTHE is serving out the term of Thabo MBEKI election results: Kgalema MOTLANTHE elected president; National Assembly vote - Kgalema MOTLANTHE 269, Joe SEREMANE 50, other 41; note - Thabo MBEKI resigned as president effective 25 September 2008, Kgalema MOTLANTHE is serving the remainder of his term Legislative branch: bicameral 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 4 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 elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held on 14 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2009) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 69.7%, DA 12.4%, IFP 7%, UDM 2.3%, NNP 1.7%, ACDP 1.6%, other 5.3%; seats by party - ANC 279, DA 50, IFP 28, UDM 9, NNP 7, ACDP 6, other 21; National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE]; African National Congress or ANC [Jacob ZUMA]; Congress of the People or COPE [Mosiuo LEKOTA]; Democratic Alliance or DA [Helen ZILLE]; Freedom Front Plus or FF+ [Pieter MULDER]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI]; New National Party or NNP; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Motsoko PHEKO]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA] Political pressure groups and leaders: 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: note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANC International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, C, FAO, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, NSG, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Welile Augustine NHLAPO chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric BOST embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria mailing address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001 telephone: [27] (12) 431-4000 FAX: [27] (12) 342-2299 consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg Flag description: two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that 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 Economy South Africa Economy - overview: South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that is 17th largest in the world; and modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. Growth was robust from 2004 to 2008 as South Africa reaped the benefits of macroeconomic stability and a global commodities boom, but began to slow in the second half of 2008 due to the global financial crisis' impact on commodity prices and demand. However, unemployment remains high and outdated infrastructure has constrained growth. At the end of 2007, South Africa began to experience an electricity crisis because state power supplier Eskom suffered supply problems with aged plants, necessitating "load-shedding" cuts to residents and businesses in the major cities. Daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era - especially poverty, lack of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups, and a shortage of public transportation. South African economic policy is fiscally conservative but pragmatic, focusing on controlling inflation, maintaining a budget surplus, and using state-owned enterprises to deliver basic services to low-income areas as a means to increase job growth and household income. GDP (purchasing power parity): $506.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $300.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.7% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.4% industry: 31.3% services: 65.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 18.22 million economically active (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9% industry: 26% services: 65% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 21.7% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 44.7% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 20.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $83.85 billion expenditures: $83.3 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Public debt: 29.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.3% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 11% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.17% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $58.49 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $141.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $254.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $842 billion (January 2008) Agriculture - products: corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 264 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 241.4 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - exports: 13.77 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 11.32 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 93.5% hydro: 1.1% nuclear: 5.5% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 199,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 504,900 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 267,700 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 319,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 15 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 2.9 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.1 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2005) Natural gas - proved reserves: 27.16 million cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$21.67 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $81.47 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment Exports - partners: US 11.9%, Japan 11.1%, Germany 8%, UK 7.7%, China 6.6%, Netherlands 4.5% (2007) Imports: $87.3 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 10.9%, China 10%, Spain 8.2%, US 7.2%, Japan 6.1%, UK 4.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $700 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $33.59 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $39.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $99.61 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $57.08 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): rand (ZAR) Currency code: ZAR Exchange rates: rand (ZAR) per US dollar - 7.9576 (2008 est.), 7.05 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Communications South Africa Telephones - main lines in use: 4.642 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 42.3 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 110 telephones per 100 persons; 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 international: country code - 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber optic cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 17 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 6 million (2000) Internet country code: .za Internet hosts: 1.297 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 5.1 million (2005) Transportation South Africa Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 146 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 67 under 914 m: 13 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 582 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 300 under 914 m: 248 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 11 km; gas 908 km; oil 980 km; refined products 1,379 km (2008) Railways: total: 20,872 km narrow gauge: 20,436 km 1.065-m gauge (8,931 km electrified); 436 km 0.610-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 362,099 km paved: 73,506 km (includes 239 km of expressways) unpaved: 288,593 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 3 by type: container 1, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1) registered in other countries: 8 (Bahamas 1, Nigeria 1, NZ 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Seychelles 1, UK 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay Military South Africa Military branches: South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), Joint Operations Command, Military Intelligence, Military Health Services (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women have a long history of military service in noncombat roles dating back to World War I (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,622,507 females age 16-49: 11,501,537 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,641,557 females age 16-49: 6,518,793 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 511,616 female: 510,540 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2006) Military - note: with the end of apartheid and the establishment of majority rule, former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forces were integrated into the South African National Defense Force (SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was considered complete Transnational Issues South Africa Disputes - international: South Africa has placed military along the border to apprehend the thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing economic dysfunction and political persecution; as of January 2007, South Africa also supports large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (33,000), Somalia (20,000), Burundi (6,500), and other states in Africa (26,000); managed dispute with Namibia over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 10,772 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 7,818 (Somalia); 5,759 (Angola) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: South Africa is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; women and girls are trafficked internally - and occasionally to European and Asian countries - for sexual exploitation; women from other African countries are trafficked to South Africa and, less frequently, onward to Europe for sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked from neighboring countries for forced agricultural labor; Asian and Eastern European women are trafficked to South Africa for debt-bonded sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - South Africa is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fourth consecutive year for its failure to show increasing efforts to address trafficking; the government provided inadequate data in 2007 on trafficking crimes investigated or prosecuted, or on resulting convictions or sentences; it also did not provide information on its efforts to protect victims of trafficking; the country continues to deport and/or prosecute suspected foreign victims without providing appropriate protective services (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Antigua and Barbuda a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Antigua and Barbuda Introduction Antigua and Barbuda Background: The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Geography Antigua and Barbuda Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 17 03 N, 61 48 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) land: 442.6 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 153 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m Natural resources: NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism Land use: arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 4.55% other: 77.27% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 0.1 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.005 cu km/yr (60%/20%/20%) per capita: 63 cu m/yr (1990) Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts Environment - current issues: water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor People Antigua and Barbuda Population: 85,632 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 11,660/female 11,303) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 26,597/female 30,414) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 2,456/female 3,202) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 31.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.303% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 16.78 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.14 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.76 years male: 72.81 years female: 76.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.07 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan Ethnic groups: black 91%, mixed 4.4%, white 1.7%, other 2.9% (2001 census) Religions: Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), local dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 85.8% male: NA% female: NA% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2002) Government Antigua and Barbuda Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government Capital: name: Saint John's geographic coordinates: 17 07 N, 61 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981) Constitution: 1 November 1981 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Louisse LAKE-TACK (since 17 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24 March 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 50.9%, ALP 47.2%, BPM 1.1%; seats by party - UPP 9, ALP 7, BPM 1 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court consisting of a High Court of Justice and a Court of Appeal (based in Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court are residents of the islands and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction); Magistrates' Courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; Barbuda People's Movement for Change [Arthur NIBBS]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP) Political pressure groups and leaders: Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda Flag description: red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band Economy Antigua and Barbuda Economy - overview: Antigua has a relatively high GDP per capita in comparison to most other Caribbean nations. The economy experienced solid growth from 2003 to 2007, reaching over 12% in 2006, driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing associated with the Cricket World Cup. Growth dropped off in 2008 with the end of the boom. Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and potential damages from natural disasters. Since taking office in 2004, the SPENCER government has adopted an ambitious fiscal reform program, and has been successful in reducing its public debt-to-GDP ratio from 120% to about 90%. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.615 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.126 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.1% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $19,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.8% industry: 22% services: 74.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7% industry: 11% services: 82% (1983) Unemployment rate: 11% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $123.7 million expenditures: $145.9 million (2000 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.44% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $294.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $902 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.002 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 105 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 97.65 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,109 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 158 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 4,556 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$211 million (2007 est.) Exports: $84.3 million (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals Imports: $522.8 million (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil Economic aid - recipient: $7.23 million (2005) Debt - external: $359.8 million (June 2006) Currency (code): East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Communications Antigua and Barbuda Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: good automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-268; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .ag Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Antigua and Barbuda Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 1,165 km paved: 384 km unpaved: 781 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 1,146 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 50, cargo 651, carrier 4, chemical tanker 5, container 392, liquefied gas 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 20 foreign-owned: 1,113 (Australia 1, Colombia 2, Cyprus 18, Denmark 19, Estonia 23, France 1, Germany 941, Greece 3, Iceland 12, Italy 1, Latvia 13, Lithuania 5, Netherlands 20, NZ 2, Norway 8, Poland 2, Russia 4, Slovenia 6, Sweden 1, Switzerland 8, Turkey 6, UK 9, US 8) (2008) Ports and terminals: Saint John's Military Antigua and Barbuda Military branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 19,560 females age 16-49: 18,977 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,271 females age 16-49: 19,586 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 744 female: 743 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues Antigua and Barbuda Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- French Polynesia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   French Polynesia Introduction French Polynesia Background: The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded. Geography French Polynesia Location: Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) land: 3,660 sq km water: 507 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower Land use: arable land: 0.75% permanent crops: 5.5% other: 93.75% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru People French Polynesia Population: 287,032 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.3% (male 35,631/female 34,097) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 102,537/female 95,317) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 9,821/female 9,629) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 29.4 years female: 28.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.391% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 16.16 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 4.67 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.71 years male: 74.26 years female: 79.29 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic groups: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Languages: French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: age 14 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1977 est.) Education expenditures: Government French Polynesia Country name: conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise former: French Colony of Oceania Dependency status: overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004 Government type: NA Capital: name: Papeete geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles Sous-le-Vent Independence: none (overseas lands of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Adolphe COLRAT (since 7 July 2008) head of government: President of French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 7 February 2009); President of the Territorial Assembly Eduoard FRITCH (since 12 February 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits) Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February 2008 (second round) (next to be held NA 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance 45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27, Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 1, independent 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif Political parties and leaders: Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN [Nicole BOUTEAU and Philip SCHYLE](includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours); Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; Our Home alliance; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: FZ, ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas lands of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas lands of France) Flag description: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions Government - note: under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister Economy French Polynesia Economy - overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.718 billion (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $6.1 billion (2004) GDP - real growth rate: GDP - per capita (PPP): $18,000 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 20.4% services: 76.1% (2005) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13% industry: 19% services: 68% (2002) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $865 million expenditures: $644.1 million (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 475 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 441.8 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.7% hydro: 39.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 6,082 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 6,271 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $211 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) Exports - commodities: cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat Imports: $1.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Economic aid - recipient: $579.8 million (2004) Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) Currency code: XPF Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro Communications French Polynesia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 7 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .pf Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation French Polynesia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 8 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999) Merchant marine: total: 15 by type: cargo 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 registered in other countries: 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Papeete Military French Polynesia Military branches: no regular military forces; Gendarmerie and National Police Force (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 79,540 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 65,408 females age 16-49: 64,421 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,665 female: 2,552 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues French Polynesia Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Colombia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Colombia Introduction Colombia Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. Geography Colombia Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,309 km border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower Land use: arable land: 2.01% permanent crops: 1.37% other: 96.62% (2005) Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2,132 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%) per capita: 235 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea People Colombia Population: 45,644,023 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 6,679,701/female 6,522,976) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 14,571,536/female 15,297,179) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,103,391/female 1,469,240) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.1 years male: 26.1 years female: 28 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.377% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 19.86 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.81 years male: 68.98 years female: 76.76 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.46 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 170,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 9,800 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Languages: Spanish Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92.9% female: 92.7% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2006) Government Colombia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure Capital: name: Bogota geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Constitution: 5 July 1991; amended many times Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full implemention in January 2008; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002) cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the three largest parties that supported President URIBE's reelection - the PSUN, PC, and CR - and independents elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 May 2006 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez reelected president; percent of vote - Alvaro URIBE Velez 62%, Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz 22%, Horacio SERPA Uribe 12%, other 4% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010); House of Representatives - last held 12 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSUN 20, PC 18, PL 18, CR 15, PDI 10, other parties 21; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 35, PSUN 33, PC 29, CR 20, PDA 8, other parties 41 Judicial branch: four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Colombian Conservative Party or PC [Efrain Jose CEPEDA Sarabia]; Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Carlos GAVIRIA Diaz]; Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo]; Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Carlos FERRO Solanilla] note: Colombia has 15 formally recognized political parties, and numerous unofficial parties that did not meet the vote threshold in the March 2006 legislative elections required for recognition Political pressure groups and leaders: National Liberation Army or ELN; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC note: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia International organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center Economy Colombia Economy - overview: Colombia has experienced accelerating growth between 2002 and 2007, with expansion above 7% in 2007, chiefly due to advancements in domestic security, to rising commodity prices, and to President URIBE's promarket economic policies. Colombia's sustained growth helped reduce poverty by 20% and cut unemployment by 25% since 2002. Additionally, investor friendly reforms to Colombia's hydrocarbon sector and the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) negotiations have attracted record levels of foreign investment. Inequality, underemployment,and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires significant updating in order to sustain expansion. Economic growth slipped in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis and weakening demand for Colombia's exports. In response, URIBE's administration has cut capital controls, arranged for emergency credit lines from multilateral institutions, and promoted investment incentives such as Colombia's modernized free trade zone mechanism, legal stability contracts, and new bilateral investment treaties and trade agreements. The government has also encouraged exporters to diversify their customer base away from the United States and Venezuela, Colombia's largest trading partners. Nevertheless, the business sector continues to be concerned about the impact of a global recession on Colombia's exports, as well as the approval of the CTPA, which is stalled in the US Congress. GDP (purchasing power parity): $407.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $249.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,000 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.4% industry: 36.6% services: 54% (2008 est.) Labor force: 21.3 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 22.4% industry: 18.8% services: 58.8% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.8% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 7.9% highest 10%: 34.3% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 23.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $76.42 billion expenditures: $78.49 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 48% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9.5% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15.6% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $21.81 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $27.25 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $57.2 billion (31 December 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $87 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 53.6 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 52.8 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - exports: 876.7 million kWh (2007) Electricity - imports: 38.4 million kWh (2007) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 26% hydro: 72.7% nuclear: 0% other: 1.3% (2001) Oil - production: 588,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 267,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 294,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - imports: 12,480 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 1.506 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 7.22 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 7.22 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 122.9 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$5.592 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $41.08 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers Exports - partners: US 35.4%, Venezuela 17.4%, Ecuador 4.3% (2007) Imports: $38.88 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity Imports - partners: US 26.2%, China 10.1%, Mexico 9.3%, Brazil 7.3%, Venezuela 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $511.1 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $23.66 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $41.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $65.69 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $10.88 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Colombian peso (COP) Currency code: COP Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 2,243.6 (2008), 2,013.8 (2007), 2,358.6 (2006), 2,320.75 (2005), 2,628.61 (2004) Communications Colombia Telephones - main lines in use: 7.936 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 33.941 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system in many respects; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services; fixed-line connections stand at about 18 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage is about 75 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking 50 cities international: country code - 57; submarine cables provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999) Radios: 21 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 4.59 million (1997) Internet country code: .co Internet hosts: 1.554 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 12.1 million (2007) Transportation Colombia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 103 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 12 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 831 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 216 under 914 m: 580 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 4,560 km; oil 6,094 km; refined products 3,383 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,304 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 164,257 km (2005) Waterways: 18,000 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 17 by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 3, specialized tanker 1 registered in other countries: 6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Panama 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo Military Colombia Military branches: National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, Colmar), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,478,109 females age 16-49: 11,809,279 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,212,944 females age 16-49: 10,045,435 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 446,432 female: 437,164 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Colombia Disputes - international: in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does not rule on 82°W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers) (2007) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a 6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2005, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 130,000 hectares but aggressive replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key producer; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market; (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Cocos (Keeling) Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Cocos (Keeling) Islands Introduction Cocos (Keeling) Islands Background: There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. Geography Cocos (Keeling) Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Area - comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: cyclone season is October to April Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs Geography - note: islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island People Cocos (Keeling) Islands Population: 596 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0% (2009 est.) Birth rate: NA (2008 est.) Death rate: NA (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) Languages: Malay (Cocos dialect), English Literacy: NA Government Cocos (Keeling) Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Dependency status: non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department Government type: NA Capital: name: West Island geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006) cabinet: NA elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2007 (next to be held in May 2009) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Cocos (Keeling) Islands Economy - overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others Unemployment rate: 60% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Agriculture - products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Industries: copra products and tourism Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: copra Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: foodstuffs Economic aid - recipient: $NA Currency (code): Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications Cocos (Keeling) Islands Telephones - main lines in use: Telephone system: general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system; a local mobile-cellular network is in operation domestic: NA international: country code - 61; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: NA Internet country code: .cc Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: NA Transportation Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 22 km paved: 10 km unpaved: 12 km (2006) Ports and terminals: Port Refuge Military Cocos (Keeling) Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force Transnational Issues Cocos (Keeling) Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Anguilla a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Anguilla Introduction Anguilla Background: Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. Geography Anguilla Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 61 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles People Anguilla Population: 14,436 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.5% (male 1,815/female 1,725) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 4,665/female 5,125) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 534/female 572) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 32.6 years male: 31.5 years female: 33.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.272% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 13.11 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 4.39 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 14.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.65 years male: 78.11 years female: 83.26 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Ethnic groups: black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 census) Religions: Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2005) Government Anguilla Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967) Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Andrew N. GEORGE (since 10 July 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%, ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1 Judicial branch: High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) Political parties and leaders: Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below Economy Anguilla Economy - overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector, contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. GDP (purchasing power parity): $108.9 million (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $108.9 million (2004 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10.2% (2004 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,800 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2006 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.76% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $23.57 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $470.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $447.7 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Current account balance: -$42.87 million (2003 est.) Exports: $13 million (2006) Exports - commodities: lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum Imports: $143 million (2006) Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles Economic aid - recipient: $9 million (2004 est.) Debt - external: $8.8 million (1998) Currency (code): East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976 Communications Anguilla Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: modern internal telephone system international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .ai Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Anguilla Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Roadways: total: 175 km paved: 82 km unpaved: 93 km (2004) Ports and terminals: Blowing Point, Road Bay Military Anguilla Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,538 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,955 females age 16-49: 3,308 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 107 female: 106 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Anguilla Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Denmark a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Denmark Introduction Denmark Background: Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Geography Denmark Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn) Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 43,094 sq km land: 42,394 sq km water: 700 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km Coastline: 7,314 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand Land use: arable land: 52.59% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 47.22% (2005) Irrigated land: 4,490 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 6.1 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%) per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes Environment - current issues: air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen People Denmark Population: 5,500,510 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.1% (male 511,882/female 485,782) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,817,800/female 1,798,964) 65 years and over: 16.1% (male 387,142/female 498,940) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.5 years male: 39.6 years female: 41.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.28% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 10.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.25 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.3 years male: 75.96 years female: 80.78 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,800 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish Ethnic groups: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2% Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 8.3% of GDP (2005) Government Denmark Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Copenhagen geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to the North Atlantic components Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007 Independence: first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy National holiday: none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day Constitution: 5 June 1953 constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27 November 2001) cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketinget is dissolved earlier) elections: last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Alliance 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative Party [Lene ESPERSEN] (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Liberal Alliance [Naser KHADER](formerly known as New Alliance); Red-Green Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL] Political pressure groups and leaders: Danish Free Press Society (freedom of speech); Danish National Socialist Movement or DNSB [Jonni HANSEN] (neo-Nazi organization) other: human rights groups International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSEN chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAIN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00 FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23 Flag description: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Economy Denmark Economy - overview: This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Unemployment is low and capacity constraints limit growth potential. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but so far Denmark has decided not to join 15 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark's fiscal position is among the strongest in the EU. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturn continued through 2006. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end of a housing boom. This cyclical slowdown has been exacerbated by the global financial crisis through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The slowing global economy cut growth to 0.3% in 2008. Because of high GDP per capita, welfare benefits, a low Gini index, and political stability, the Danish living standards are among the highest in the world. A major long-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees. GDP (purchasing power parity): $213.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $369.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 25.9% services: 72.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.86 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.9% industry: 23.8% services: 72.7% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $192 billion expenditures: $177.6 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 21.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $148.7 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $81.64 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $684.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $277.7 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish Industries: iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 36.99 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 34.68 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 11.38 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 10.43 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 82.7% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 17.3% (2001) Oil - production: 313,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 190,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 320,000 bbl/day (2006) Oil - imports: 164,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 1.188 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 9.223 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 4.555 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 4.517 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 70.51 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $4.333 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $119.5 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills Exports - partners: Germany 17.4%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8%, US 6.1%, Norway 5.7%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8% (2007) Imports: $120.7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: Germany 21.6%, Sweden 14.4%, Netherlands 7.1%, Norway 6%, China 5.4%, UK 5.3%, Italy 4.1%, France 4% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $2.236 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $34.32 billion (2006 est.) Debt - external: $492.6 billion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $133.6 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $163.2 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Danish krone (DKK) Currency code: DKK Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Communications Denmark Telephones - main lines in use: 2.824 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.243 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems international: country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 6.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 3.121 million (1997) Internet country code: .dk Internet hosts: 3.642 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 3.5 million (2007) Transportation Denmark Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 63 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 60 (2007) Pipelines: gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,644 km standard gauge: 2,644 km 1.435-m gauge (636 km electrified) (2007) Roadways: total: 72,362 km paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 400 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 327 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 63, carrier 2, chemical tanker 78, container 84, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4 foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 1, Germany 1, Germany 9, Greece 4, Iceland 2, Norway 3, Sweden 6) registered in other countries: 534 (Antigua and Barbuda 19, Bahamas 67, Belgium 4, Brazil 2, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 4, Egypt 1, Estonia 1, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 24, Isle of Man 29, Italy 3, Jamaica 2, Liberia 12, Lithuania 5, Luxembourg 1, Malta 30, Marshall Islands 10, Mexico 2, Netherlands 29, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 25, Panama 40, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Singapore 87, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 4, Togo 1, UAE 1, UK 62, US 31, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg Military Denmark Military branches: Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Island Command Greenland, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,235,067 females age 16-49: 1,215,418 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,013,223 females age 16-49: 998,837 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 37,231 female: 35,306 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2006; 1.28% 2007 est.) Transnational Issues Denmark Disputes - international: Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Micronesia, Federated States of a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Micronesia, Federated States of Introduction Micronesia, Federated States of Background: In 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 US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Geography Micronesia, Federated States of Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 702 sq km land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 6,112 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December) Environment - current issues: overfishing, climate change, pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands People Micronesia, Federated States of Population: 107,434 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411) 15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22 years male: 21.5 years female: 22.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.238% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 23.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -21.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.94 years male: 69.06 years female: 72.93 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese Ethnic groups: Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3% Languages: English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.) Education expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2000) Government Micronesia, Federated States of Country name: conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none local long form: Federated States of Micronesia local short form: none former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts abbreviation: FSM Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004 Capital: name: Palikir geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) Constitution: 10 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2007 (next to be held May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: last held 6 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: no formal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Miriam K. HUGHES embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 Flag description: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Economy Micronesia, Federated States of Economy - overview: Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $238.1 million; note - supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $238.1 million (2008) GDP - real growth rate: 0.3% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28.9% industry: 15.2% services: 55.9% (2004 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.9% industry: 34.4% services: 64.7% note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.) Unemployment rate: 22% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $166 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures: $152.7 million (FY07 est.) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Inflation rate (consumer prices): Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.03% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $22.45 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $72.49 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish; Kosraen citrus Industries: tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 192 million kWh (2002) Electricity - consumption: 178.6 million kWh (2002) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - production by source: NA Current account balance: -$34.3 million (FY05 est.) Exports: $14 million (f.o.b.) (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut Imports: $132.7 million f.o.b. (2004) Imports - commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages Economic aid - recipient: $106.4 million (2005) Debt - external: $60.8 million (FY05 est.) Currency (code): US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications Micronesia, Federated States of Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 3 (cable TV also available) (2004) Televisions: Internet country code: .fm Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Micronesia, Federated States of Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007) Roadways: total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 3 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2008) Ports and terminals: Tomil Harbor Military Micronesia, Federated States of Military branches: no regular military forces Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 26,686 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 21,845 females age 16-49: 23,401 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,273 female: 1,212 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Micronesia, Federated States of Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major consumer of cannabis This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Iran a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Iran Introduction Iran Background: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts. US-Iranian relations have been strained since a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between 1987 and 1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and its nuclear weapons ambitions. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and similarly a reformer Majles (parliament) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, through the control of unelected institutions, prevented reform measures from being enacted and increased repressive measures. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions (1696 in July 2006, 1737 in December 2006, 1747 in March 2007, 1803 in March 2008, and 1835 in September 2008) calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA obligations and responsibilities. Resolutions 1737, 1477, and 1803 subject a number of Iranian individuals and entities involved in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs to sanctions. Additionally, several Iranian entities are subject to US sanctions under Executive Order 13382 designations for proliferation activities and EO 13224 designations for support of terrorism. Geography Iran Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 1.648 million sq km land: 1.636 million sq km water: 12,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km Coastline: 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf continental shelf: natural prolongation Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Land use: arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005) Irrigated land: 76,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 137.5 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 72.88 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%) per capita: 1,048 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport People Iran Population: 66,429,284 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 7,394,841/female 7,022,076) 15-64 years: 72.9% (male 24,501,544/female 23,914,172) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,725,828/female 1,870,823) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27 years male: 26.8 years female: 27.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.883% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 16.89 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 68% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 35.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.65 years female: 72.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 86,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,300 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian Ethnic groups: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2% Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77% male: 83.5% female: 70.4% (2002 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2006) Government Iran Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran conventional short form: Iran local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran local short form: Iran former: Persia Government type: theocratic republic Capital: name: Tehran geographic coordinates: 35 40 N, 51 25 E time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 30 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e Shomali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) National holiday: Republic Day, 1 April (1979) Constitution: 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership Legal system: based on Sharia law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Parviz DAVUDI (since 11 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-Khebregan), a popularly elected body charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or the Council for the Discernment of Expediency (Majma-e-Tashkise-Maslahat-e-Nezam) exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise national religious leaders on matters of national policy; in 2005 the Council's powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for the government; 3) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negaban-e Qanun-e Assassi) determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates for suitability, and supervises national elections elections: Supreme Leader is appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and third nonconsecutive term); last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate runoff on 24 June 2005 (next presidential election slated for 12 June 2009) election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi-RAFSANJANI 36% Legislative branch: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami or Majles (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 14 March 2008 with a runoff held 25 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - conservatives/Islamists 167, reformers 39, independents 74, religious minorities 5, other 5 Judicial branch: The Supreme Court (Qeveh Qazaieh) and the four-member High Council of the Judiciary have a single head and overlapping responsibilities; together they supervise the enforcement of all laws and establish judicial and legal policies; lower courts include a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court Political parties and leaders: formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004; following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004;; following the 2004 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives have attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as the Islamic Revolution, came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles electons; the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates have been unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections Political pressure groups and leaders: groups that generally support the Islamic Republic: Ansar-e Hizballah-Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh); Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader; Islamic Engineers Society; Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat); active pro-reform student group: Office of Strengthening Unity (OSU); opposition groups: Baluchistan People's Party (BPP); Freedom Movement of Iran; Marz-e Por Gohar; National Front; and various ethnic and Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been repressed by the government: Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI); Jundallah; Komala; Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO); People's Fedayeen; People's Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) International organization participation: CP, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073 Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - the US Interests Section is located in the Swiss Embassy compound at Africa Avenue, West Farzan Street, number 32, Tehran, Iran; telephone [98] 21 8878 2964 or 21 8879 2364; FAX [98] 21 8877 3265 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band Economy Iran Economy - overview: Iran's economy is marked by an inefficient state sector, reliance on the oil sector, which provides the majority of government revenues, and statist policies, which create major distortions throughout the system. Most economic activity is controlled by the state. Private sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops, farming, and services. Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Significant informal market activity flourishes. Corruption and shortages of goods are widespread. President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD has proposed reforms to Iran's system of price controls and subsidies, particularly on food and energy. However, previous government-led efforts at reform - such as fuel rationing in July 2007 and the imposition of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) in October 2008 - were met with stiff resistance and violent protests. High oil prices in recent years allowed Iran to greatly increase its export earnings and amass over $70 billion in foreign exchange reserves. But with oil prices currently below $40 per barrel, the Iranian government is facing difficulties. Tehran has formulated a 2009 budget that anticipates lower oil prices. The government has drawn down the country's Oil Stabilization Fund, and may be dipping into foreign exchange reserves. Iran continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment and inflation - inflation climbed to 26% as of June 2008. Underemployment among Iran's educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting in a significant "brain drain." GDP (purchasing power parity): $859.7 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $382.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $13,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.8% industry: 44.3% services: 44.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 24.35 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 25% industry: 31% services: 45% (June 2007) Unemployment rate: 12.5% according to the Iranian government (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 18% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 33.7% (1998) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 27.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $51 billion expenditures: $103 billion (FY09/10 est.) Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March Public debt: 25% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): note: official Iranian estimate (2008 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $46.13 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $68.71 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $109.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $45.57 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% excluding oil (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 193 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 145 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 2.775 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.54 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 97.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 4.7 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.6 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 2.8 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - imports: 210,000 bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: 138.4 billion bbl based on Iranian claims (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 111.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 111.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 6.2 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 6.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 26.85 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $27.47 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $106.4 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets Exports - partners: China 15%, Japan 14.3%, Turkey 7.4%, South Korea 7.3%, Italy 6.4% (2007) Imports: $67.79 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services Imports - partners: China 14.2%, Germany 9.6%, UAE 9.1%, South Korea 6.3%, Russia 5.7%, Italy 5% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $104 million (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $96.56 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $21.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $6.954 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $993 million (2008 est.) Currency (code): Iranian rial (IRR) Currency code: IRR Exchange rates: Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 9,142.8 (2008 est.), 9,407.5 (2007), 9,227.1 (2006), 8,964 (2005), 8,614 (2004) note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002 Communications Iran Telephones - main lines in use: 23.835 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 29.77 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected domestic: the addition of new fiber cables and modern switching and exchange systems installed by Iran's state-owned telecom company have improved and expanded the main line network greatly; main line availability has more than doubled to nearly 24 million lines since 2000; additionally, mobile service has increased dramatically serving nearly 30 million subscribers in 2007 international: country code - 98; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 72, FM 6, shortwave 5 (1998) Radios: 17 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 29 (plus 450 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 4.61 million (1997) Internet country code: .ir Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 23 million (2007) Transportation Iran Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 129 over 3,047 m: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 5 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 202 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 145 under 914 m: 46 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 7 km; condensate/gas 12 km; gas 19,246 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km; oil 7,018 km; refined products 7,936 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,367 km broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge standard gauge: 8,273 km 1.435-m gauge (146 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 172,927 km paved: 125,908 km (includes 1,429 km of expressways) unpaved: 47,019 km (2006) Waterways: 850 km (on Karun River; additional service on Lake Urmia) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 74 by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 34, chemical tanker 4, container 6, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) registered in other countries: 115 (Barbados 2, Bolivia 1, Cyprus 10, Hong Kong 15, Malta 79, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Assaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e-Eman Khomeyni Military Iran Military branches: Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Niru-ye Hava'i-ye Artesh-e Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran, IRIAF; Air Defense Command being formed); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special operations), and Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (2008) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation - 18 months; women exempt from military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 20,212,275 females age 16-49: 19,638,751 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,658,573 females age 16-49: 17,148,290 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 700,213 female: 664,846 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Iran Disputes - international: Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries to the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Iran stands alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 914,268 (Afghanistan); 54,024 (Iraq) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Iran is a source, transit, and destination country for women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Iranian women are trafficked internally for the purpose of forced prostitution and for forced marriages to settle debts; Iranian children are trafficked internally and Afghan children are trafficked into Iran for the purpose of forced marriages, commercial sexual exploitation, and involuntary servitude as beggars or laborers tier rating: Tier 3 - Iran did not provide evidence of law enforcement activities against trafficking, and credible reports indicate that Iranian authorities punish victims of trafficking with beatings, imprisonment, and execution; Iran has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Philippines a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Philippines Introduction Philippines Background: The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. The 20-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats from three terrorist groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list, but in 2006 and 2007 scored some major successes in capturing or killing key wanted terrorists. Decades of Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines have led to a peace accord with one group and on-again/off-again peace talks with another. Geography Philippines Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 36,289 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005) Irrigated land: 15,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 479 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%) per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis Environment - current issues: uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait People Philippines Population: 97,976,603 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376) 15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.5 years male: 22 years female: 23 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.957% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 26.42 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.15 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.09 years male: 68.17 years female: 74.15 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,300 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine Ethnic groups: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census) Languages: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 92.5% female: 92.7% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2005) Government Philippines Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas local short form: Pilipinas Government type: republic Capital: name: Manila geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 80 provinces and 120 chartered cities provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago, Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati, Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi, Marikina, Masbate, Mati, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Juan, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2009) Independence: 12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments elections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO) elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, three others 23% Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Nga Kinatawan (as a result of May 2007 election it has 240 seats including 218 members representing districts and 22 sectoral party-list members representing special minorities elected on the basis of 1 seat for every 2% of the total vote but limited to 3 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members) elections: Senate - last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010); House of Representatives - elections last held on 14 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 4, LP 4, Nacionalista 3, NPC 2, PDP-Laban 2, PMP 2, Kampi 1, LDP 1, PRP 1, independents 3; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas 92, Kampi 54, NPC 25, LP 21, Party-list 22, independents 3, others 26; there are 238 rather than 240 sitting representatives because two died in office Judicial branch: Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials) Political parties and leaders: Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi [Luis VILLAFUERTE]; Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Prospero NOGRALES]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]; AKBAYAN [Anna Theresia BARAQUIEL]; An Waray [Florencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Rafael MARIANO]; ARC [Narciso SANTIAGO III]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Ernesto PABLO and Edgar VALDEZ]; A TEACHER [Mariano PIAMONTE]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]; BUHAY [Rene VELARDE, Carissa COSCOLLUELLA, and William TIENG]; BUTIL [Leonila CHAVEZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Jose PING-AY]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA and Luzviminda ILAGAN]; Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]; YACAP [Carol LOPEZ] International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000 telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000 FAX: [63] (2) 301-2399 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top Economy Philippines Economy - overview: Economic growth has averaged 5% since President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office in 2001. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and, until recently, tightening expenditures. Declining fiscal deficits, tapering debt and debt service ratios, as well as efforts to increase spending on infrastructure and social services heightened optimism over Philippine economic prospects. Although the general macroeconomic outlook has improved significantly, the economy faces several long term challenges. The Philippines must maintain the reform momentum in order to catch up with regional competitors, improve employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty. The Philippines will need still higher, sustained growth to make progress in alleviating poverty, given its high population growth and unequal distribution of income. The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace in three decades in 2007 with real GDP growth exceeding 7%, but growth slowed to 4.5% in 2008 as a result of the world financial crisis. High government spending, a relatively small trade sector, a resilient service sector, and large remittances from the four- to five-million Filipinos who work abroad have helped cushion the economy from the current financial crisis. GDP (purchasing power parity): $327.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $168.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.7% industry: 31.6% services: 53.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 36.81 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 35% industry: 15% services: 50% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.4% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 30% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 31.2% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 16.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $26.75 billion expenditures: $28.2 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 56.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.69% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $22.53 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $65.85 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $65.66 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $85.6 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish Industries: electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 56.51 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 47.04 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001) Oil - production: 23,930 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 340,100 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 41,160 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 355,800 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 138.5 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 2.2 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.2 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $2.687 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $49 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits Exports - partners: US 17%, Japan 14.5%, Hong Kong 11.5%, China 11.4%, Netherlands 8.2%, Singapore 6.2%, Malaysia 5%, Germany 4.3% (2007) Imports: $58 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic Imports - partners: US 14.1%, Japan 12.3%, Singapore 11.2%, Taiwan 7.3%, China 7.2%, Saudi Arabia 6.4%, South Korea 5.9%, Malaysia 4.1%, Thailand 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $451.4 million in commitments (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $36.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $53.48 billion (31 September 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $20.78 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $5.564 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Philippine peso (PHP) Currency code: PHP Exchange rates: Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 44.439 (2008 est.), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004) Communications Philippines Telephones - main lines in use: 3.633 million (2006) Telephones - mobile cellular: 51.795 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density about 60 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 381, FM 628, shortwave 4 (each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience) (2007) Radios: 11.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 250 (plus 1,501 CATV networks) (2007) Televisions: 3.7 million (1997) Internet country code: .ph Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 5.3 million (2007) Transportation Philippines Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 84 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 10 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 171 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 99 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: oil 107 km; refined products 112 km (2008) Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2006) Roadways: total: 200,037 km paved: 19,804 km unpaved: 180,233 km (2003) Waterways: 3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 391 by type: bulk carrier 75, cargo 125, carrier 16, chemical tanker 17, container 6, liquefied gas 5, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 36, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 11 foreign-owned: 161 (Bermuda 34, China 4, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Japan 81, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 23, Norway 10, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 11 (Comoros 1, Cyprus 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Panama 7) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila, Nasipit Harbor Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Military Philippines Military branches: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age (officers 21-29) for compulsory and voluntary military service; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 23,547,252 females age 16-49: 23,177,487 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,169,298 females age 16-49: 20,636,853 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,023,431 female: 986,434 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Philippines Disputes - international: Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 300,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2007) Illicit drugs: domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Introduction Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Background: Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. Geography Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m Natural resources: fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year Environment - current issues: overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season People Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Population: 3,140 (July 2008 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.011% (2009 est.) Birth rate: NA (2008 est.) Death rate: NA (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Ethnic groups: British Religions: Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census) Languages: English Literacy: NA Government Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Government type: NA Capital: name: Stanley geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Political pressure groups and leaders: Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes) International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Economy Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Economy - overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. GDP (purchasing power parity): $105.1 million (2002 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $105.1 million (2002 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $35,400 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 95% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 1,724 (est.) (1996) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) industry and services: 5% (1996) Unemployment rate: full employment; labor shortage (2001) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $66.2 million expenditures: $67.9 million (FY98/99 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): Agriculture - products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid Industries: fish and wool processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 16 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 14.88 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 252 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 249 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $125 million (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: wool, hides, meat, fish, squid Imports: $90 million (2004 est.) Imports - commodities: fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing Economic aid - recipient: $0 (1997 est.) Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Falkland pound (FKP) Currency code: FKP Exchange rates: Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006), 0.5504 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Communications Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service) (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders); cable television is available in Stanley (2006) Televisions: Internet country code: .fk Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2007) Roadways: total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2008) Ports and terminals: Stanley Military Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Military branches: no regular military forces Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Disputes - international: Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Senegal a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Senegal Introduction Senegal Background: The French colonies of Senegal and the French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted their independence as the Mali Federation in 1960. The union broke up after only a few months. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) has led a low-level separatist insurgency in southern Senegal since the 1980s, and several peace deals have failed to resolve the conflict. Nevertheless, Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal was ruled by a Socialist Party for 40 years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. He was reelected in February 2007, but complaints of fraud led opposition parties to boycott June 2007 legislative polls. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping. Geography Senegal Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania Geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 196,190 sq km land: 192,000 sq km water: 4,190 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: total: 2,640 km border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land: 12.51% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 87.25% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 39.4 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.22 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%) per capita: 190 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling Geography - note: westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal People Senegal Population: 13,711,597 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 2,911,324/female 2,877,804) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 3,728,664/female 3,786,000) 65 years and over: 3% (male 190,343/female 217,462) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.709% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 36.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.72 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 58.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 65.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59 years male: 57.12 years female: 60.93 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 67,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,800 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever, and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2008) Nationality: noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese Ethnic groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 39.3% male: 51.1% female: 29.2% (2002 est.) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2006) Government Senegal Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation Government type: republic Capital: name: Dakar geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 17 26 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 11 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Constitution: adopted 7 January 2001 Legal system: based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Cheikh Hadjibou SOUMARE (since 19 June 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) under new constitution; election last held on 25 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdoulaye WADE reelected president in the first round of voting; percent of vote - Abdoulaye WADE 55.9%, Idrissa SECK 14.9%, Ousmane Tanor DIENG 13.6%, Moustapha NIASSE 5.9%, other 9.7% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; 90 members elected by direct popular vote with the remaining members elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms) and the Senate reinstituted in 2007 (100 seats; 35 indirectly elected with the remaining 65 members to be appointed by the president) elections: National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2007 (next to be held 2012); note - the National Assembly in December 2005 voted to postpone legislative elections originally scheduled for 2006; legislative elections were first rescheduled to coincide with the 25 February 2007 presidential elections and later rescheduled for 3 June 2007; the June election was boycotted by 12 opposition parties, including the former ruling Socialist Party, that resulted in a record-low, 35-percent voter turnout; Senate - last held 19 August 2007 (next to be held - NA) election results: National Assembly results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 131, other 19; Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDS 34, AJ/PADS 1, 65 appointed by the president Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals Political parties and leaders: African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance for the Republic-Yakaar [Macky Sall]; And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Landing SAVANE]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE]; Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; Jef-Jel [Talla SYLLA]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madior DIOUF]; People's Labor Party or PTP [Elhadji DIOUF]; Reform Party or PR [Abdourahim AGNE]; Rewmi Party [Idrissa Seck]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition [Abdoulaye WADE] (a coalition led by the PDS); Union for Democratic Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: labor; students; Sufi brotherhoods, including the Mourides and Tidjanes; teachers International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcia S. BERNICAT embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar telephone: [221] 33-829-2100 FAX: [221] 33-822-2991 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Senegal Economy - overview: In 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 was 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 over 5% annually during 1995-2008. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the single digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. High unemployment, however, continues to prompt illegal migrants to flee Senegal in search of better job opportunities in Europe. Senegal was also beset by an energy crisis that caused widespread blackouts in 2006 and 2007. The phosphate industry has struggled for two years to secure capital, and reduced output has directly impacted GDP. In 2007, Senegal signed agreements for major new mining concessions for iron, zircon, and gold with foreign companies. Firms from Dubai have agreed to manage and modernize Dakar's maritime port, and create a new special economic zone. Senegal still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief program, Senegal has benefited from eradication of two-thirds of its bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector debt. In 2007, Senegal and the IMF agreed to a new, non-disbursing, Policy Support Initiative program. GDP (purchasing power parity): $22.98 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $13.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 19.4% services: 64.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.973 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 77.5% industry and services: 22.5% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 48% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 54% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 33.4% (2001) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 25.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.141 billion expenditures: $3.799 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.6% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $2.842 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.579 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $2.97 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining; iron ore, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 2.28 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.657 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - consumption: 36,200 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 4,298 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 40,450 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 50 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 50 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: NA cu m Natural gas - imports: NA cu m Natural gas - proved reserves: NA cu m Current account balance: -$2.078 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $1.904 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton Exports - partners: Mali 18.9%, France 9.1%, Italy 5.9%, India 5.7%, Gambia, The 5.2% (2007) Imports: $4.654 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: food and beverages, capital goods, fuels Imports - partners: France 22.2%, Netherlands 10%, China 7.4%, UK 6.2%, Thailand 5.2%, Belgium 4.5% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $477 million (2007 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.765 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $2.528 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro Communications Senegal Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.123 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: good system domestic: above-average urban system with a fiber-optic network; nearly two-thirds of all fixed-line connections are in Dakar where a call-center industry is emerging; expansion of fixed-line services in rural areas needed; mobile-cellular service is expanding rapidly; microwave radio relay, coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system international: country code - 221; the SAT-3/WASC fiber optic cable provides connectivity to Europe and Asia while Atlantis-2 provides connectivity to South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 1.24 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .sn Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Senegal Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Pipelines: gas 43 km; refined products 8 km (2008) Railways: total: 906 km narrow gauge: 906 km 1.000 meter gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 13,576 km paved: 3,972 km (includes 7 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,604 km (2003) Waterways: 1,000 km (primarily on Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance rivers) (2008) Ports and terminals: Dakar Military Senegal Military branches: Army, Senegalese Navy (Marine Senegalaise), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,943,619 females age 16-49: 2,955,179 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,038,508 females age 16-49: 2,207,510 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 154,249 female: 153,679 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Senegal Disputes - international: The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau attempt to stem separatist violence, cross border raids, and arms smuggling into their countries from Senegal's Casamance region, and in 2006, respectively accepted 6,000 and 10,000 Casamance residents fleeing the conflict; 2,500 Guinea-Bissau residents fled into Senegal in 2006 to escape armed confrontations along the border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 19,630 (Mauritania) IDPs: 22,400 (approximately 65% of the IDP population returned in 2005, but new displacement is occurring due to clashes between government troops and separatists in Casamance region) (2007) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Switzerland a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Switzerland Introduction Switzerland Background: The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country 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, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Geography Switzerland Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 41,290 sq km land: 39,770 sq km water: 1,520 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt Land use: arable land: 9.91% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 89.51% (2005) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 53.3 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%) per capita: 348 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides, flash floods Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps People Switzerland Population: 7,604,467 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.6% (male 616,561/female 571,610) 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 2,609,673/female 2,567,245) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 514,761/female 724,617) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41 years male: 40 years female: 42 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.276% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.85 years male: 78.03 years female: 83.83 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 25,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss Ethnic groups: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% Religions: Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census) Languages: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census) note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.8% of GDP (2005) Government Switzerland Country name: conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh) local short form: Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh) Government type: formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic Capital: name: Bern geographic coordinates: 46 57 N, 7 26 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 26 cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich note: 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell-Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are styled half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these six cantons only have a half vote Independence: 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation) National holiday: Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Constitution: revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council head of government: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2009); Vice President Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2009); cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 10 December 2008 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Hans-Rudolf MERZ elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 88.5%; Doris LEUTHARD elected vice president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 87.4% Legislative branch: 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; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; to 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 the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons in October 2007 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 21 October 2007 (next to be held in October 2011) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 12, SVP 7, SPS 9, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 29%, SPS 19.5%, FDP 15.6%, CVP 14.6%, Greens 9.6%, other 11.7%; seats by party - SVP 62, SPS 43, FDP 31, CVP 31, Green Party 20, other small parties 13 Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ueli LEUENBERGER]; Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Fulvio PELLI]; 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) [Christian LEVRAT]; 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) [Toni BRUNNER]; and other minor parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Urs ZISWILER chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Leigh CARTER embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44 Flag description: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag Economy Switzerland Economy - overview: Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector led by financial services and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based prodution. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. Switzerland remains a safehaven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. The global financial crisis and resulting economic downturn could, however, put Switzerland in a recession in 2009, particularly as global export demand stalls. Switzerland's largest banks suffered significant losses in 2008 and the country's largest bank accepted a government rescue deal in late 2008. The Swiss National Bank, beginning in October 2008, cut interest rates on several consecutive occasions, effectively instituting a zero-rate policy in a bid to boost the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $309.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $492.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $40,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 34% services: 64.5% (2003 est.) Labor force: 4.04 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.9% industry: 22.8% services: 73.2% (2005) Unemployment rate: 3% (December 2008) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 21.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $173.6 billion expenditures: $168.2 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 44% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 2.05% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 3.15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $207 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of quasi money: $477.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of domestic credit: $864.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.275 trillion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (2006 est.) Electricity - production: 64.56 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 58.77 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 50.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 48.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 59.5% nuclear: 37.1% other: 2% (2001) Oil - production: 3,202 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 244,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 9,370 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 274,900 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: NA Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.232 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 3.232 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $40.81 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $172.7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products Exports - partners: Germany 20.3%, US 9.7%, Italy 8.7%, France 8.4%, UK 5.1% (2007) Imports: $212.8 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles Imports - partners: Germany 32.6%, Italy 10.8%, France 9.5%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 4.6%, Austria 4.2%, UK 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.646 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $75.37 billion (2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.34 trillion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $333.8 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $621.7 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Swiss franc (CHF) Currency code: CHF Exchange rates: Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 1.0774 (2008 est.), 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004) Communications Switzerland Telephones - main lines in use: 5 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.096 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services domestic: ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 100 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 106 (plus many low-power stations), shortwave 3 (2008) Radios: 7.1 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 3.31 million (1997) Internet country code: .ch Internet hosts: 3.437 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000) Internet users: 4.61 million (2007) Transportation Switzerland Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 42 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 16 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 1,662 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,839 km standard gauge: 3,561 km 1.435-m gauge (3,195 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,268 km 1.000-m gauge (1,274 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 71,298 km paved: 71,298 km (includes 1,758 of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 65 km (Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 35 by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 6, specialized tanker 1 registered in other countries: 106 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Bahamas 1, France 3, Italy 8, Liberia 13, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, Panama 25, Portugal 2, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 2, Tonga 1, UK 1, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Basel Military Switzerland Military branches: Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; the Swiss Constitution states that "every Swiss male is obliged to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,852,580 females age 16-49: 1,807,667 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,510,259 females age 16-49: 1,475,993 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 48,076 female: 44,049 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Switzerland Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Guyana a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Guyana Introduction Guyana Background: Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006. Geography Guyana Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 214,970 sq km land: 196,850 sq km water: 18,120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Idaho Land boundaries: total: 2,949 km border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km Coastline: 459 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Land use: arable land: 2.23% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 97.63% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 241 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.64 cu km/yr (2%/1%/98%) per capita: 2,187 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons Environment - current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively People Guyana Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.7% (male 101,319/female 97,505) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 268,058/female 262,595) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 17,938/female 24,883) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 29.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.181% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 17.85 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -7.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years male: 64.09 years female: 69.4 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese Ethnic groups: East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5% (2002 census) Religions: Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census) Languages: English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.8% male: 99.1% female: 98.5% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Education expenditures: 8.3% of GDP (2006) Government Guyana Country name: conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana Government type: republic Capital: name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 10 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Constitution: 6 October 1980 Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006 head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature elections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 54.6% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members elected by popular vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2 non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%, AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5, other 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union Congress International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Melvin JONES embassy: US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 Flag description: green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green Economy Guyana Economy - overview: The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Economic recovery since the 2005 flood-related contraction has been buoyed by increases in remittances and foreign direct investment in the sugar and rice industries as well as the mining sector. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization, and the state-owned sugar industry will conduct efficiency increasing modernizations. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have remained flat as rising commodity prices have offset declining production, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy costs. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to nearly 48% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) debt forgiveness brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 120% in 2007. Guyana became heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 has broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.082 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.134 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,000 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31.9% industry: 21% services: 47.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 418,000 (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 33.8% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 40.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $463.7 million expenditures: $536 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.61% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $315.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $728.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $739.3 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $262.4 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, rice, shrimp, fish, edible oils; beef, pork, poultry Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 600 million kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 600 million kWh (2007) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 10,440 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 10,960 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$246 million (2008 est.) Exports: $736.9 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber Exports - partners: Canada 18.7%, US 16.5%, UK 9.1%, Portugal 7.6%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.2%, France 4.7%, Netherlands 4.6%, Jamaica 4% (2007) Imports: $1.162 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food Imports - partners: Trinidad and Tobago 26.2%, US 20.5%, Cuba 7.2%, China 7.1%, UK 5.4% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $136.8 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $309.7 million (30 September 2008) Debt - external: $804.3 million (30 September 2008) Currency (code): Guyanese dollar (GYD) Currency code: GYD Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 203.86 (2008 est.), 201.89 (2007), 200.28 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004) Communications Guyana Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: fair system for long-distance service domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; fixed-line teledensity is about 15 per 100 persons; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 37 per 100 persons in 2005 international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 3 (1 public station; 2 private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .gy Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Guyana Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 6 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 84 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 69 (2007) Roadways: total: 7,970 km paved: 590 km unpaved: 7,380 km (2000) Waterways: 330 km note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2008) Merchant marine: total: 8 by type: cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 registered in other countries: 3 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Georgetown Military Guyana Military branches: Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Coast Guard, Air Corps) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 220,797 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 150,307 females age 16-49: 144,622 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 6,625 female: 6,365 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Guyana Disputes - international: all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Trafficking in persons: current situation: Guyana is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most trafficking appears to take place in remote mining camps in the country's interior; some women and girls are trafficked from northern Brazil; reporting from other nations suggests Guyanese women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation to neighboring countries and Guyanese men and boys are subject to labor exploitation in construction and agriculture; trafficking victims from Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela transit Guyana en route to Caribbean destinations tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guyana is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking, particularly in the area of law enforcement actions against trafficking offenders; the government has yet to produce an anti-trafficking conviction under the comprehensive Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which became law in 2005; the government operates no shelters for trafficking victims, but did include limited funding for anti-trafficking NGOs in its 2008 budget; the government did not make any effort to reduce demand for commercial sex acts during 2007 (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Oman a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Oman Introduction Oman Background: The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Geography Oman Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 212,460 sq km land: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km Coastline: 2,092 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Terrain: central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Land use: arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2005) Irrigated land: 720 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%) per capita: 529 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People Oman Population: note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.7% (male 744,265/female 714,116) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 1,079,511/female 783,243) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 55,180/female 41,770) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 21.1 years female: 16.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 3.138% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 35.26 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 3.68 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.38 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.32 male(s)/female total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.16 years male: 71.87 years female: 76.55 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,300 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu) 25% Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects Literacy: definition: NA total population: 81.4% male: 86.8% female: 73.5% (2003 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2006) Government Oman Country name: conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman former: Muscat and Oman Government type: monarchy Capital: name: Muscat geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)* Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) National holiday: Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) Constitution: none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution 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 citizens Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only advisory powers) elections: last held 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female candidates were elected Judicial branch: Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Sharia law Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gary A. GRAPPO embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 24-643-400 FAX: [968] 24-699771 Flag description: three 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 near the top of the vertical band Economy Oman Economy - overview: Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources, but sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped build Oman's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. As a result of its dwindling oil resources, Oman is actively pursuing a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020. Some of these projects may be in jeopardy, however, because Muscat overestimated its ability to produce or secure the natural gas needed to power them. Oman actively seeks private foreign investors, especially in the industrial, information technology, tourism, and higher education fields. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports. The drop in oil prices and the global financial crisis in 2008 will affect Oman's fiscal position and it may post a deficit in 2009 if oil prices stay low. In addition, the global credit crisis is slowing the pace of investment and development projects - a trend that probably will continue into 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $67.45 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $56.32 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.7% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $20,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.1% industry: 37.2% services: 60.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 920,000 (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 15% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 17.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $14.6 billion expenditures: $16.7 billion (2009 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 2.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 1.98% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.29% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.984 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $11.04 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $13.88 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $23.49 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 14.43 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 11.19 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 758,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 69,100 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - imports: 15,440 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 24.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 11 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 13.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $5.669 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $33.9 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles Exports - partners: China 26.8%, South Korea 15.2%, Japan 14.3%, Thailand 10.4%, UAE 7.6%, US 4.3%, Iran 4.1% (2007) Imports: $13.32 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants Imports - partners: UAE 19.3%, Japan 17.6%, US 7.4%, Germany 5.2%, India 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $30.68 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $11.11 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $6.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Omani rial (OMR) Currency code: OMR Exchange rates: Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2008 est.), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004) Communications Oman Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.5 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems; fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing; open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international: country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) Radios: 1.4 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 25 repeaters) (1999) Televisions: 1.6 million (1997) Internet country code: .om Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Oman Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 130 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 34 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 4,126 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2008) Roadways: total: 42,300 km paved: 16,500 km (includes 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,800 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 3 by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1 registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Mina' Qabus, Salalah Military Oman Military branches: Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 802,455 females age 16-49: 626,841 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 675,454 females age 16-49: 563,890 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 35,647 female: 34,407 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Oman Disputes - international: boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public Trafficking in persons: current situation: Oman is a destination country for men and women primarily from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who migrate willingly, but some of whom become victims of trafficking when subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers; mistreatment includes non-payment of wages, restrictions on movement and withholding of passports, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; Oman may also be a destination country for women from Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Africa for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Oman was rated as Tier 3 for the second consecutive year because it did not report any law enforcement efforts to prosecute and punish trafficking offenses in 2007 and continues to lack victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Korea, North a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Korea, North Introduction Korea, North Background: An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist control. After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed Republic of Korea (ROK) in the southern portion by force, North Korea (DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against outside influence. The DPRK demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the DPRK since the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid to feed its population. North Korea's history of regional military provocations, proliferation of military-related items, and long-range missile development - as well as its WMD programs and massive conventional armed forces - are of major concern to the international community. In December 2002, following revelations that the DPRK was pursuing a nuclear weapons program based on enriched uranium in violation of a 1994 agreement with the US to freeze and ultimately dismantle its existing plutonium-based program, North Korea expelled monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In January 2003, it declared its withdrawal from the international Non-Proliferation Treaty. In mid-2003 Pyongyang announced it had completed the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods (to extract weapons-grade plutonium) and was developing a "nuclear deterrent." Beginning in August 2003, North Korea, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the US have participated in the Six-Party Talks aimed at resolving the stalemate over the DPRK's nuclear programs. North Korea pulled out of the talks in November 2005. It test-fired ballistic missiles in July 2006 and conducted a nuclear test in October 2006. North Korea returned to the Six-Party Talks in December 2006 and subsequently signed two agreements on denuclearization. The 13 February 2007 Initial Actions Agreement led to the shut down of three of the North's nuclear facilities at Yongbyon in July 2007. In the 3 October 2007 Second Phase Actions Agreement, Pyongyang pledged to disable those three facilities and provide a correct and complete declaration of its nuclear programs by the end of the year. Under the supervision of US nuclear experts, North Korean personnel completed some of agreed-upon disablement actions at those three Yongbyon facilities by the end of 2007. North Korea began the discharge of spent fuel rods in December 2007 and provided a declaration of its nuclear program in June 2008. Geography Korea, North Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 120,540 sq km land: 120,410 sq km water: 130 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Mississippi Land boundaries: total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km Coastline: 2,495 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower Land use: arable land: 22.4% permanent crops: 1.66% other: 75.94% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,600 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 77.1 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 9.02 cu km/yr (20%/25%/55%) per capita: 401 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall Environment - current issues: water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated People Korea, North Population: 22,665,345 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.3% (male 2,440,439/female 2,376,557) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 7,776,889/female 7,945,399) 65 years and over: 9.4% (male 820,504/female 1,305,557) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.5 years male: 32.1 years female: 34.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.42% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 14.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 58.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.81 years male: 61.23 years female: 66.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.96 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic groups: racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Religions: traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Languages: Korean Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Education expenditures: NA Government Korea, North Country name: conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: Choson abbreviation: DPRK Government type: Communist state one-man dictatorship Capital: name: Pyongyang geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities (si, singular and plural) provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan), Yanggang-do (Yanggang) municipalities: Kaesong-si (Kaesong), Najin Sonbong-si (Najin-Sonbong), Namp'o-si (Namp'o), P'yongyang-si (Pyongyang) Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) National holiday: Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) Constitution: adopted 1948; completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992, and September 1998 Legal system: based on Prussian civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note - on 3 September 2003, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) reelected KIM Jong Il chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPA reelected KIM Yong Nam president of its Presidium also with responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic credentials head of government: Premier KIM Yong Il (since 11 April 2007); Vice Premiers KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), JON Sung Hun (since 3 September 2003), RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003), THAE Jong Su (since 16 October 2007) cabinet: Naegak (cabinet) members, except for Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by SPA elections: last held in September 2003; date of next election NA election results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nominees for positions and ran unopposed Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 8 August 2009 (next due to be held in March 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; a token number of seats are reserved for minor parties Judicial branch: Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly) Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Il]; minor parties - Chondoist Chongu Party [RYU Mi Yong] (under KWP control), Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong Dae] (under KWP control) Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star Economy Korea, North Economy - overview: North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and shortages of spare parts. Large-scale military spending draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power output have declined in parallel from pre-1990 levels. Severe flooding in the summer of 2007 aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel. Large-scale international food aid deliveries have allowed the people of North Korea to escape widespread starvation since famine threatened in 1995, but the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed private "farmers' markets" to begin selling a wider range of goods. It also permitted some private farming - on an experimental basis - in an effort to boost agricultural output. In October 2005, the government tried to reverse some of these policies by forbidding private sales of grains and reinstituting a centralized food rationing system. By December 2005, the government terminated most international humanitarian assistance operations in North Korea (calling instead for developmental assistance only) and restricted the activities of remaining international and non-governmental aid organizations such as the World Food Program. External food aid now comes primarily from China and South Korea in the form of grants and long-term concessional loans. In May 2008, the US agreed to give 500,000 metric tons of food to North Korea via the World Food Program and US nongovernmental organizations; Pyongyang began receiving these shipments in mid-2008. During the October 2007 summit, South Korea also agreed to develop some of North Korea's infrastructure, natural resources, and light industry, but inter-Korean economic cooperation slowed in 2008 as Pyongyang restricted tourism and manufacturing joint ventures in the North, and food aid from South Korea was suspended. Firm political control remains the Communist government's overriding concern, which will likely inhibit the loosening of economic regulations. GDP (purchasing power parity): $40 billion note: North Korea does not publish any reliable National Income Accounts data; the datum shown here is derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP estimates for North Korea that were made by Angus MADDISON in a study conducted for the OECD; his figure for 1999 was extrapolated to 2008 using estimated real growth rates for North Korea's GDP and an inflation factor based on the US GDP deflator; the result was rounded to the nearest $10 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $26.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.1% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.3% industry: 43.1% services: 33.6% (2002 est.) Labor force: 20 million note: estimates vary widely (2004 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 37% industry and services: 63% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $2.88 billion expenditures: $2.98 billion Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Agriculture - products: rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs Industries: military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 21.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 18.18 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29% hydro: 71% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 141 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2006) Oil - imports: 10,520 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - proved reserves: NA bbl Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2007) Exports: $1.684 billion f.o.b. (2007) Exports - commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, agricultural and fishery products Exports - partners: South Korea 45%, China 35%, Thailand 5% (2007) Imports: $3.055 billion c.i.f. (2007) Imports - commodities: petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain Imports - partners: China 27%, South Korea 16%, Thailand 9%, Russia 7% (2006) Economic aid - recipient: $372 million note: approximately 65,000 metric tons in food aid through the World Food Program appeals in 2007, plus additional aid from bilateral donors and non-governmental organizations (2007 est.) Debt - external: $12.5 billion (2001 est.) Currency (code): North Korean won (KPW) Currency code: KPW Exchange rates: North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar - 140 (2007), 141 (2006), 170 (December 2004), market rate: North Korean won per US dollar - 3,400 (October 2008) Communications Korea, North Telephones - main lines in use: 1.18 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate system; currently mobile cellular telephone services are available in Pyongyang only domestic: fiber-optic links installed between cities; telephone directories unavailable; mobile cellular service, initiated in 2002, suspended in 2004; Orascom Telecom, an Egyptian company, launched mobile service on December 15, 2008 for the Pyongyang area only international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 17 (including 11 stations of Korean Central Broadcasting Station; North Korea has a "national intercom" cable radio station wired throughout the country that is a significant source of information for the average North Korean citizen; it is wired into most residences and workplaces and carries news and commentary), FM 14, shortwave 14 (2006) Radios: 3.36 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (includes Korean Central Television, Mansudae Television, Korean Educational and Cultural Network, and Kaesong Television targeting South Korea) (2003) Televisions: 1.2 million (1997) Internet country code: .kp Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: NA Transportation Korea, North Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 7 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: oil 154 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,235 km standard gauge: 5,235 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 25,554 km paved: 724 km unpaved: 24,830 km (2006) Waterways: 2,250 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 167 by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 121, carrier 1, chemical tanker 4, container 3, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 19 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Lithuania 1, Romania 4, Syria 1, UAE 8, Yemen 2) registered in other countries: 2 (Mongolia 1, Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan Military Korea, North Military branches: North Korean People's Army: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force; civil security forces (2005) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,225,747 females age 16-49: 6,188,270 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,104,964 females age 16-49: 4,492,374 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 191,759 female: 184,641 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues Korea, North Disputes - international: risking arrest, imprisonment, and deportation, tens of thousands of North Koreans cross into China to escape famine, economic privation, and political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers; Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents in the Yellow Sea with South Korea which claims the Northern Limiting Line as a maritime boundary; North Korea supports South Korea in rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima) Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: undetermined (flooding in mid-2007 and famine during mid-1990s) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; the most common form of trafficking involves North Korean women and girls who cross the border into China voluntarily; additionally, North Korean women and girls are lured out of North Korea to escape poor social and economic conditions by the promise of food, jobs, and freedom, only to be forced into prostitution, marriage, or exploitative labor arrangements once in China tier rating: Tier 3 - North Korea does not fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not acknowledge the existence of human rights abuses in the country or recognize trafficking, either within the country or transnationally; North Korea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December 2004; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003 This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Cape Verde a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Cape Verde Introduction Cape Verde Background: The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Geography Cape Verde Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 4,033 sq km land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 965 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island) Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum Land use: arable land: 11.41% permanent crops: 0.74% other: 87.85% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.3 cu km (1990) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.02 cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%) per capita: 39 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active Environment - current issues: soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site People Cape Verde Population: 429,474 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 76,012/female 74,993) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 123,376/female 127,653) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 10,040/female 17,400) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.1 years male: 20.4 years female: 21.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.561% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 23.95 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -11.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 41.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.61 years male: 68.27 years female: 75.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.07 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.035% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS - deaths: 225 (as of 2001) Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene) Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.6% male: 85.8% female: 69.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.3% of GDP (2006) Government Cape Verde Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde Government type: republic Capital: name: Praia geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Constitution: 25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica) Legal system: based on the legal system of Portugal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Pedro Verona PIRES (since 22 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1 February 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 12 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2011); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote - Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 52.3%, MPD 44%, UCID 2.7%; seats by party - PAICV 41, MPD 29, UCID 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia Political parties and leaders: African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES]; Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO]; Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO]; Movement for Democracy or MPD [Jorge SANTOS]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO]; Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: environmentalists; political pressure groups International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fatima Lima VEIGA chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marianne M. MYLES embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo n6, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 2-60-89-00 FAX: [238] 2-61-13-55 Flag description: five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side Economy Cape Verde Economy - overview: This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program. Cape Verde became a member of the WTO in July 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.808 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.845 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 16.9% services: 74.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: Unemployment rate: 21% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 41.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $525.4 million expenditures: $585.3 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 8.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.55% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $574 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $689 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.049 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts; fish Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 47 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 43.71 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,117 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 1,785 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$167 million (2008 est.) Exports: $102 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides Exports - partners: Spain 37.2%, Portugal 29.9%, Morocco 7%, US 6.6% (2007) Imports: $887 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels Imports - partners: Portugal 40.7%, Netherlands 10.9%, France 6.5%, Spain 5.6%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.9%, Brazil 4.7%, Italy 4.7% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $160.6 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $459 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $325 million (2002) Currency (code): Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) Currency code: CVE Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 73.84 (2008 est.), 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004) Communications Cape Verde Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995 domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004 international: country code - 238; landing point for the Atlantis-2 fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Senegal, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 22 (plus 12 repeaters), shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: 100,000 (2002 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 7 repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 15,000 (2002 est.) Internet country code: .cv Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Cape Verde Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 1,350 km paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 8 by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5 foreign-owned: 2 (Spain 1, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Porto Grande Military Cape Verde Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard (includes maritime air wing) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for selective compulsory military service; 14-month conscript service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 103,650 females age 16-49: 103,553 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 84,967 females age 16-49: 90,154 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 5,471 female: 5,349 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2005) Transnational Issues Cape Verde Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Atlantic Ocean a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Atlantic Ocean Introduction Atlantic Ocean Background: The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. Geography Atlantic Ocean Location: body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 76.762 million sq km note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US Coastline: 111,866 km Climate: tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to November Terrain: surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones Natural hazards: icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea Geography - note: major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean Economy Atlantic Ocean Economy - overview: The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). Transportation Atlantic Ocean Ports and terminals: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Transportation - note: Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US; the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore Atlantic waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, the east coast of Brazil, and the Caribbean Sea; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Transnational Issues Atlantic Ocean Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- India a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   India Introduction India Background: Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkic in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons testing in 1998 caused Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as significant overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread corruption. Geography India Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 3,287,590 sq km land: 2,973,190 sq km water: 314,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-third the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 14,103 km border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Coastline: 7,000 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land Land use: arable land: 48.83% permanent crops: 2.8% other: 48.37% (2005) Irrigated land: 558,080 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,907.8 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 645.84 cu km/yr (8%/5%/86%) per capita: 585 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world, lies on the border with Nepal People India Population: 1,166,079,217 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 190,075,426/female 172,799,553) 15-64 years: 63.6% (male 381,446,079/female 359,802,209) 65 years and over: 5.3% (male 29,364,920/female 32,591,030) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.548% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 22.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 29% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.89 years male: 67.46 years female: 72.61 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2.4 million (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 310,000 (2001 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) Religions: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census) Languages: Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9% note: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the most widely spoken language and primary tongue of 41% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61% male: 73.4% female: 47.8% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 9 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2005) Government India Country name: conventional long form: Republic of India conventional short form: India local long form: Republic of India/Bharatiya Ganarajya local short form: India/Bharat Government type: federal republic Capital: name: New Delhi geographic coordinates: 28 36 N, 77 12 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal Independence: 15 August 1947 (from UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 26 January (1950) Constitution: 26 January 1950; amended many times Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Pratibha PATIL (since 25 July 2007); Vice President Hamid ANSARI (since 11 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since 22 May 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held in July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012); vice president elected by both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held in August 2007 (next to be held August 2012); prime minister chosen by parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative elections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held no later than May 2009) election results: Pratibha PATIL elected president; percent of vote - 65.8%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT - 34.2% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members up to 12 of whom are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: People's Assembly - last held 20 April through 10 May 2004 (next must be held by May 2009) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party (as of July 2008 confidence vote) - INC 153, BJP 122, CPI (M) 42, SP 33, RJD 24, BSP 17, DMK 16, NCP 11, SS 11, BJD 10, CPI 10, SAD 7, JD (U) 6, PMK 6, JMM 5, LJSP 4, TDP 3, MDMK 2, TRS 2, independent 6, other 27, vacant 2; note - 20 members expelled from their party for failing to vote against the government; 6 members expelled from their party for failing to vote to support the government Judicial branch: Supreme Court (one chief justice and 25 associate justices are appointed by the president and remain in office until they reach the age of 65 or are removed for "proved misbehavior") Political parties and leaders: Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Rajnath SINGH]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India-Marxist or CPI-M [Prakash KARAT]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National Congress or INC [Sonia GANDHI]; Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) [Sharad YADAV]; Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM [Shibu SOREN]; Left Front (an alliance of Indian leftist parties); Lok Jan Shakti Party or LJSP [Ram Vilas PASWAN]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR]; Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK [S. RAMADOSS]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [Parkash Singh BADAL]; Shiv Sena or SS [Bal THACKERAY]; note - India has dozens of national and regional political parties; only parties or coalitions with four or more seats in the People's Assembly are listed Political pressure groups and leaders: All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley (separatist group); Bajrang Dal (religious organization); National Socialist Council of Nagaland in the northeast (separatist group); Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (religious organization); Vishwa Hindu Parishad (religious organization other: numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations; various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional members), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIMSTEC, BIS, C, CERN (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ranendra Ronen SEN chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David C. MULFORD embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [91] (011) 2419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017 consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band Economy India Economy - overview: India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. Slightly more than half of the work force is in agriculture, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to articulate a rural economic development program that includes creating basic infrastructure to improve the lives of the rural poor and boost economic performance. The government has reduced controls on foreign trade and investment. Higher limits on foreign direct investment were permitted in a few key sectors, such as telecommunications. However, tariff spikes in sensitive categories, including agriculture, and incremental progress on economic reforms still hinder foreign access to India's vast and growing market. Privatization of government-owned industries remains stalled and continues to generate political debate; populist pressure from within the UPA government had restrained needed initiatives. The economy has posted an average growth rate of more than 7% in the decade since 1997, reducing poverty by about 10 percentage points. India achieved 8.5% GDP growth in 2006, 9.0% in 2007, and 7.3% in 2008, significantly expanding manufactures through late 2008. India also is capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to become a major exporter of software services and software workers. Strong growth combined with easy consumer credit, a real estate boom, and fast-rising commodity prices fueled inflation concerns from mid-2006 to August 2008. Rising tax revenues from better tax administration and economic expansion helped New Delhi make progress in reducing its fiscal deficit for three straight years before skyrocketing global commodity prices more than doubled the cost of government energy and fertilizer subsidies. The ballooning subsidies, amidst slowing growth, brought the return of a large fiscal deficit in 2008. In the long run, the huge and growing population is the fundamental social, economic, and environmental problem. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.319 trillion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.237 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.2% industry: 29.1% services: 53.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 523.5 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 60% industry: 12% services: 28% (2003) Unemployment rate: 6.8% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 31.1% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 39% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $153.5 billion expenditures: $205.3 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Public debt: 78% of GDP (federal and state debt combined) (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.5% (31 January 2009) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.5% (31 January 2009) Stock of money: $250.9 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $647.3 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $769.3 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $650 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; onions, dairy products, sheep, goats, poultry; fish Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software Industrial production growth rate: 4.8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 665.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 517.2 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 378 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.189 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81.7% hydro: 14.5% nuclear: 3.4% other: 0.3% (2001) Oil - production: 880,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.722 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 450,700 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 2.159 million bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 5.625 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 31.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 41.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 10 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.075 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$38.39 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $175.7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum products, textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures Exports - partners: US 15%, China 8.7%, UAE 8.7%, UK 4.4% (2007) Imports: $287.5 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals Imports - partners: China 10.6%, US 7.8%, Germany 4.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.724 billion (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $250 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $163.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $142.9 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $54.21 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Indian rupee (INR) Currency code: INR Exchange rates: Indian rupees (INR) per US dollar - 43.319 (2008 est.), 41.487 (2007), 45.3 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004) Communications India Telephones - main lines in use: 38.76 million (2008) Telephones - mobile cellular: 296.08 million (2008) Telephone system: general assessment: recent deregulation and liberalization of telecommunications laws and policies have prompted rapid growth; local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban areas; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission of private and private-public investors, but combined fixed and mobile telephone density remains low at about 30 for each 100 persons nationwide and much lower for persons in rural areas; extremely rapid growth in cellular service with modest declines in fixed lines domestic: mobile cellular service introduced in 1994 and organized nationwide into four metropolitan areas and 19 telecom circles each with about three private service providers and one state-owned service provider; in recent years significant trunk capacity added in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the world's largest domestic satellite systems, the Indian National Satellite system (INSAT), with 6 satellites supporting 33,000 very small aperture terminals (VSAT) international: country code - 91; a number of major international submarine cable systems, including Sea-Me-We-3 with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Sea-Me-We-4 with a landing site at Chennai, Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) with a landing site at Mumbai (Bombay), South Africa - Far East (SAFE) with a landing site at Cochin, the i2i cable network linking to Singapore with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), and Tata Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras), provide a significant increase in the bandwidth available for both voice and data traffic; satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); 9 gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, and Ernakulam (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998) Radios: 116 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 63 million (1997) Internet country code: .in Internet hosts: 2.707 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 80 million (2007) Transportation India Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 250 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 52 1,524 to 2,437 m: 75 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 21 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 96 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 40 under 914 m: 47 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate/gas 2 km; gas 6,061 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,156 km; oil 7,678 km; refined products 6,876 km (2008) Railways: total: 63,221 km broad gauge: 46,807 km 1.676-m gauge (17,343 km electrified) narrow gauge: 13,290 km 1.000-m gauge (165 km electrified); 3,124 km 0.762-m gauge and 0.610-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 3,316,452 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 14,500 km note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for mechanized vessels (2008) Merchant marine: total: 501 by type: bulk carrier 102, cargo 241, carrier 1, chemical tanker 19, container 13, liquefied gas 18, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 92, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 12 (China 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, UAE 6, UK 2) registered in other countries: 61 (Barbados 1, Comoros 2, Cyprus 2, Dominica 2, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 27, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 13, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Chennai, Haldia, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mormugao, Mumbai (Bombay), New Mangalore, Vishakhapatnam Military India Military branches: Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force (Bharatiya Vayu Sena), Coast Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women officers allowed in noncombat roles only (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 301,094,084 females age 16-49: 283,047,141 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 237,042,868 females age 16-49: 243,276,310 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 11.795 million female: 10,820,590 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues India Disputes - international: since China and India launched a security and foreign policy dialogue in 2005, consolidated discussions related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, Indian claims that China transferred missiles to Pakistan, and other matters continue; various talks and confidence-building measures have cautiously begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India and Pakistan have maintained the 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show its Junagadh claim in Indian Gujarat State; discussions with Bangladesh remain stalled to delimit a small section of river boundary, to exchange territory for 51 Bangladeshi exclaves in India and 111 Indian exclaves in Bangladesh, to allocate divided villages, and to stop illegal cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off high-traffic sections of the border; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation; India seeks cooperation from Bhutan and Burma to keep Indian Nagaland and Assam separatists from hiding in remote areas along the borders; Joint Border Committee with Nepal continues to examine contested boundary sections, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; India maintains a strict border regime to keep out Maoist insurgents and control illegal cross-border activities from Nepal Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 77,200 (Tibet/China); 69,609 (Sri Lanka); 9,472 (Afghanistan) IDPs: at least 600,000 (about half are Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; internal forced labor may constitute India's largest trafficking problem; men, women, and children are held in debt bondage and face forced labor working in brick kilns, rice mills, agriculture, and embroidery factories; women and girls are trafficked within the country for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage; children are subjected to forced labor as factory workers, domestic servants, beggars, and agriculture workers, and have been used as armed combatants by some terrorist and insurgent groups; India is also a destination for women and girls from Nepal and Bangladesh trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Indian women are trafficked to the Middle East for commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Bangladesh and Nepal are trafficked through India for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation in the Middle East tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - India is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fifth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; despite the reported extent of the trafficking crisis in India, government authorities made uneven efforts to prosecute traffickers and protect trafficking victims; government authorities continued to rescue victims of commercial sexual exploitation and forced child labor and child armed combatants, and began to show progress in law enforcement against these forms of trafficking; a critical challenge overall is the lack of punishment for traffickers, effectively resulting in impunity for acts of human trafficking; India has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries and throughout Southwest Asia; illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system; licit ketamine and precursor production This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Mozambique a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Mozambique Introduction Mozambique Background: Almost 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 until the mid 1990's. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) 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 between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. Mozambique has seen very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war largely due to post-conflict reconstruction. Geography Mozambique Location: Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania Geographic coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 801,590 sq km land: 784,090 sq km water: 17,500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km Coastline: 2,470 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical to subtropical Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite Land use: arable land: 5.43% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 94.28% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 216 cu km (1992) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) per capita: 32 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces Environment - current issues: a 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 waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country People Mozambique Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.3% (male 4,829,272/female 4,773,209) 15-64 years: 52.8% (male 5,605,227/female 5,842,679) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 257,119/female 361,772) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.4 years male: 17 years female: 17.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.791% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 38.21 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 20.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 105.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 108.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 103 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.18 years male: 41.83 years female: 40.53 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 12.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.5 million (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 81,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2008) Nationality: noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican Ethnic groups: African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08% Religions: Catholic 23.8%, Muslim 17.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, other 17.8%, none 23.1% (1997 census) Languages: Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.8% male: 63.5% female: 32.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2005) Government Mozambique Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local long form: Republica de Mocambique local short form: Mocambique former: Portuguese East Africa Government type: republic Capital: name: Maputo geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Constitution: 30 November 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February 2004) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held in December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Armando GUEBUZA elected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 63.7%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 31.7% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%, other 8.3%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90 Judicial branch: Supreme 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 a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Etica [Abdul CARIMO Issa, chairman]; Human Rights and Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or DHD [Artemisia FRANCO, secretary general]; Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e Democracia) or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para Paz e Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Todd C. CHAPMAN embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (21) 492797 FAX: [258] (21) 490114 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Economy Mozambique Economy - overview: At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s, and although it returned to double digits in 2000-06, in 2007 inflation had slowed to 8%, while GDP growth reached 7.5%. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More power is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a Compact with Mozambique; the Mozambican government moved rapidly to ratify the Compact and propose a plan for funding. GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.68 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $9.788 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.4% industry: 30.7% services: 45.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 10.04 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 81% industry: 6% services: 13% (1997 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1997 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 39.4% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 24% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.786 billion expenditures: $3.108 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.2% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9.95% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.261 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.467 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $877.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 9% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 14.62 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 9.555 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 12.83 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 9.839 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 14,390 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 13,240 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 1.65 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.45 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$981 million (2008 est.) Exports: $2.693 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity Exports - partners: Italy 19.4%, Belgium 18.4%, Spain 12.5%, South Africa 12.3%, UK 7.3%, China 4.1% (2007) Imports: $3.292 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: South Africa 36.7%, Australia 8.5%, China 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.286 billion (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.067 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $4.316 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): metical (MZM) Currency code: MZM Exchange rates: meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 24.125 (2008 est.), 26.264 (2007), 25.4 (2006), 23,061 (2005), 22,581 (2004) note: in 2006 Mozambique revalued its currency, with 1000 old meticais equal to 1 new meticais Communications Mozambique Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.3 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: fair system with an extremely low density of less than 1 fixed line per 100 persons domestic: the telecommunications sector is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges; stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .mz Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Mozambique Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 125 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 79 (2007) Pipelines: gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,123 km narrow gauge: 2,983 km 1.067-m gauge; 140 km 0.762-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (2000) Waterways: 460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 2 by type: cargo 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Beira, Maputo, Nacala Military Mozambique Military branches: Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha Mocambique, MM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2006) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,545,975 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,366,897 females age 16-49: 2,209,764 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 263,994 female: 265,058 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Mozambique Disputes - international: none Trafficking in persons: current situation: Mozambique is a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the use of forced and bonded child laborers is a common practice in Mozambique's rural areas; women and girls are trafficked from rural to urban areas of Mozambique, as well as to South Africa, for domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work and mining tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second consecutive year, Mozambique is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007; while the government conducted investigations into cases of human trafficking, there were no prosecutions or convictions of traffickers; government efforts to protect victims of trafficking continued to suffer from limited resources and a lack of political commitment (2008) Illicit drugs: southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and 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); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- New Caledonia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   New Caledonia Introduction New Caledonia Background: Settled 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 ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over a period of 15 to 20 years will transfer an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct as many as three referenda between 2013 and 2018, to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence. Geography New Caledonia Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 19,060 sq km land: 18,575 sq km water: 485 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Land use: arable land: 0.32% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 99.46% (2005) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: cyclones, most frequent from November to March Environment - current issues: erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires Geography - note: consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls People New Caledonia Population: 227,436 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 31,191/female 29,870) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 75,189/female 74,552) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 7,681/female 8,953) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 28.2 years female: 29.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.136% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 17.39 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.98 years male: 71.99 years female: 78.12 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.18 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian Ethnic groups: Melanesian 44.1%, European 34.1%, Wallisian & Futunian 9%, Tahitian 2.6%, Indonesian 2.5%, Vietnamese 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1.1%, other 5.2% (1996 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% Languages: French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male: 96.8% female: 95.5% (1996 census) Government New Caledonia Country name: conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies conventional short form: New Caledonia local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie Dependency status: territorial collectivity of France since 1998 Government type: NA Capital: name: Noumea geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Province des Iles, Province Nord, and Province Sud Independence: none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014 National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French civil law; the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Commissioner Yves DASSONVILLE (since 9 November 2007) head of government: President of the Government Harold MARTIN (since 7 August 2007) cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by the Territorial Congress elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress for a five-year term (no term limits); note - last election held 7 August 2007 when Harold MARTIN was elected following the resignation of Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU as president on 24 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) Legislative branch: elections: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du territoire (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held 9 May 2004 (next to be held in 10 May 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPCR-UMP 16, AE 16, UNI-FLNKS 8, UC 7, FN 4, others 3 note: New Caledonia currently holds two seats in the French Senate; elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held not later than September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2; New Caledonia also elects two seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held on June 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX]; Caledonian Union or UC; Federation des Comites de Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front National or FN [Guy GEORGE]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE and Elie POIGOUNE]; Rally for Caledonia in the Republic (anti independence) or RPCR-UMP [Jacques LAFLEUR]; The Future Together or AE [Harold MARTIN]; Union Nationale pour l'Independance or UNI [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; note - may no longer exist, but Paul NEAOUTYINE has since become a president of Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM [Victor TUTUGORO] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy New Caledonia Economy - overview: New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.158 billion (2003 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $3.3 billion (2003 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $15,000 (2003 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 8.8% services: 76.2% (2003) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2002) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $996 million expenditures: $1.072 billion (2001 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2000 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products; fish Industries: nickel mining and smelting Industrial production growth rate: Electricity - production: 1.602 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.49 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 76.3% hydro: 23.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,560 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 356 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 11,780 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $1.341 billion f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: ferronickels, nickel ore, fish Exports - partners: Japan 20.1%, China 14.5%, Taiwan 14.2%, France 11.6%, Belgium 10.4%, Spain 8.6%, South Africa 6.9% (2007) Imports: $1.998 billion f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 36.7%, Singapore 14.7%, Australia 12.1%, NZ 5.2%, Germany 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $524.3 million annual subsidy from France (2004) Debt - external: $79 million (1998 est.) Currency (code): Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) Currency code: XPF Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 95.025 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) Communications New Caledonia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, is expected to significantly increase network capacity and improve high-speed connectivity and access to international networks international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 6 (plus 25 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .nc Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation New Caledonia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 6 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: total: 5,622 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 2 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Noumea Military New Caledonia Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; French Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 57,738 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 48,288 females age 16-49: 48,959 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,160 female: 2,087 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues New Caledonia Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Pakistan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Pakistan Introduction Pakistan Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002. Mounting public dissatisfaction with President MUSHARRAF, coupled with the assassination of the prominent and popular political leader, Benazir BHUTTO, in late 2007, and MUSHARRAF's resignation in August 2008, led to the September presidential election of Asif ZARDARI, BHUTTO's widower. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control Islamist militants, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan. The November 2008 Mumbai attacks again inflamed Indo-Pakistan relations. The Pakistani Government is also faced with a deteriorating economy as foreign exchange reserves decline, the currency depreciates, and the current account deficit widens. Geography Pakistan Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005) Irrigated land: 182,300 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 233.8 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 169.39 cu km/yr (2%/2%/96%) per capita: 1,072 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Environment - current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent People Pakistan Population: 176,242,949 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.2% (male 33,739,547/female 31,868,065) 15-64 years: 58.6% (male 52,849,607/female 50,378,198) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,475,927/female 3,931,605) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 20.6 years female: 21 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.947% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 28.35 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.85 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 36% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 65.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 65.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 65.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.49 years male: 63.4 years female: 65.64 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 96,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,100 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Ethnic groups: Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhagirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28% Religions: Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5% Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski and other 8% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 49.9% male: 63% female: 36% (2005 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 6 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006) Government Pakistan Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan local short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Islamabad geographic coordinates: 33 42 N, 73 10 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 4 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 consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas Independence: 14 August 1947 (from British India) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 March (1956) Constitution: 12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in 2002; amended 31 December 2003; suspended 3 November 2007; restored on 15 December 2007 Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims Executive branch: chief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 9 September 2008) note: following President Pervez MUSHARRAF's resignation on 18 August 2008, elections were held on 6 September in which Asif Ali ZARDARI won a clear majority; ZARDARI'S inauguration as president of Pakistan on 9 September solidified the country's return to civilian government after more than eight years of military rule head of government: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since 25 March 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister elections: the president is elected by secret ballot through an Electoral College comprising the members of the Senate, National Assembly, and the provincial assemblies for a five-year term; election last held on 6 September 2008 (next to be held not later than 2013); note - any person who is a Muslim and not less than 45 years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly can contest the presidential election; the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly; election last held on 24 March 2008 election results: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president; ZARDARI 481 votes, SIDDIQUE 153 votes, SYED 44 votes; Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI elected prime minister; GILANI 264 votes, Pervaiz ELAHI 42 votes; several abstentions Legislative branch: bicameral parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives in the National Assembly to serve six-year terms; one half are elected every three years) and the National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members elected by popular vote; 60 seats reserved for women; 10 seats reserved for non-Muslims; to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in March 2006 (next to be held in March 2009); National Assembly - last held on 18 February 2008 with by-elections on 26 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PML 38, MMA 18, PPPP 10, MQM 6, PML-N 4, PKMAP 3, ANP 2, PPP-S 2, BNP-A 1, BNP-M 1, JWP 1, NA 1, PML-F 1, independents 12; National Assembly results (as of 26 June 2008) - percent of votes by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 124, PML-N 91, PML 54, MQM 25, ANP 13, MMA 7, PML-F 5, BNP-A 1, NPP 1, PPP-S 1, independents 17; note - 3 seats remain unfilled Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Sharia Court Political parties and leaders: Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Party-Hayee Group or BNP-H [Dr. Hayee BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP; Jamiat Ahle Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Fazlur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Sami-ul HAQ or JUI-S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat Ulema-i Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e Amal or MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM [Altaf HUSSAIN]; National Alliance or NA [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI] (merged with PML); National Peoples Party or NPP; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Sharif or PML-N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; Pakistan Peoples Party-SHERPAO or PPP-S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Bilawal Bhutto ZARDARI, chairman; Asif Ali ZARDARI, co-chairman]; Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI] note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently Political pressure groups and leaders: other: military (most important political force); ulema (clergy); landowners; industrialists; small merchants International organization participation: ADB, ARF, C (reinstated 2004), CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Husain HAQQANI chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 686-1544 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 208-0000 FAX: [92] (51) 2276427 consulate(s) general: Karachi consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Pakistan Economy - overview: Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and declining exports of manufactures. Faced with untenable budgetary deficits, high inflation, and hemorrhaging foreign exchange reserves, the government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008. Between 2004-07, GDP growth in the 6-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors, despite severe electricity shortfalls. Poverty levels decreased by 10% since 2001, and Islamabad steadily raised development spending in recent years. In 2008 the fiscal deficit - a result of chronically low tax collection and increased spending - exceeded Islamabad's target of 4% of GDP. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, jumping from 7.7% in 2007 to 24.4% in 2008, primarily because of rising world fuel and commodity prices. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated significantly as a result of political and economic instability. GDP (purchasing power parity): $454.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $160.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,600 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.4% industry: 26.6% services: 53% (2008 est.) Labor force: 50.58 million note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43% industry: 20.3% services: 36.6% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.4% plus substantial underemployment (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 24% (FY05/06 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.3% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.6 (FY07/08) Investment (gross fixed): 20% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $22.14 billion expenditures: $32.09 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Public debt: 49.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 November 2008) Stock of money: $52.76 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $18.42 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $65.05 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $70.26 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Industries: textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 93.26 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 68.4 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% nuclear: 3% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 68,670 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 345,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 28,060 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 290,600 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 289.2 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 30.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 30.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 792.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$10.57 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $20.62 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs Exports - partners: US 18%, UAE 10.4%, Afghanistan 8.4%, China 5.2%, UK 4.7% (2007) Imports: $35.38 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea Imports - partners: China 16.2%, Saudi Arabia 10.9%, UAE 10.1%, US 5.7%, Kuwait 4.9%, Japan 4.4% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.666 billion (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.104 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $43.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $25.31 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.032 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Pakistani rupee (PKR) Currency code: PKR Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 70.64 (2008 est.), 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004) Communications Pakistan Telephones - main lines in use: 4.546 million (2008) Telephones - mobile cellular: 88.02 million (2008) Telephone system: general assessment: the telecommunications infrastructure is improving dramatically with foreign and domestic investments into fixed-line and mobile networks; mobile-cellular subscribership has skyrocketed, reaching some 88 million in 2008, up from only about 300,000 in 2000; fiber systems are being constructed throughout the country to aid in network growth; main line availability has risen only marginally over the same period and there are still difficulties getting main line service to rural areas domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks international: country code - 92; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable systems that provide links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; 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 (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 68, shortwave NA (2006) Radios: 13.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 20 (5 state-run channels and 15 privately-owned satellite channels) (2006) Televisions: 3.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .pk Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 17.5 million (2007) Transportation Pakistan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 92 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 29 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 10 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 54 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 24 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 10,402 km; oil 2,076 km; refined products 792 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,163 km broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified) narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 259,758 km paved: 162,879 km (includes 711 km of expressways) unpaved: 96,879 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 15 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4 registered in other countries: 19 (Comoros 4, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Military Pakistan Military branches: Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 42,633,765 females age 16-49: 40,114,017 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 33,690,322 females age 16-49: 32,602,910 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,089,936 female: 1,964,090 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2007 est.) Transnational Issues Pakistan Disputes - international: various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintained their 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees leaving slightly more than a million, many of whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan has proposed and Afghanistan protests construction of a fence and laying of mines along portions of their porous border; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribal areas to monitor and control the border with Afghanistan and to stem terrorist or other illegal activities Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,043,984 (Afghanistan) IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South Waziristan); 34,000 (October 2005 earthquake; most of those displaced returned to their home villages in the spring of 2006) (2007) Illicit drugs: significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Greece a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Greece Introduction Greece Background: Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001. Geography Greece Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 131,940 sq km land: 130,800 sq km water: 1,140 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alabama Land boundaries: total: 1,228 km border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km Coastline: 13,676 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m Natural resources: lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 20.45% permanent crops: 8.59% other: 70.96% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,530 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 72 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 8.7 cu km/yr (16%/3%/81%) per capita: 782 cu m/yr (1997) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Geography - note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands People Greece Population: 10,737,428 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 788,722/female 742,270) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 3,568,660/female 3,578,344) 65 years and over: 19.2% (male 902,617/female 1,156,815) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.8 years male: 40.7 years female: 42.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.127% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.54 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.42 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.66 years male: 77.11 years female: 82.37 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 11,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek Ethnic groups: population: Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census) note: percents represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect data on ethnicity Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Languages: Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97.8% female: 94.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2005) Government Greece Country name: conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Kingdom of Greece Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Athens geographic coordinates: 37 59 N, 23 44 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821) Constitution: 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 Legal system: based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos (Kostas) KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of parliamentary votes, 279 out of 300 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: elections last held 16 September 2007 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - ND 41.8%, PASOK 38.1%, KKE 8.2%, Synaspismos 5%, LAOS 3.8%, other 3.1%; seats by party - ND 152, PASOK 102, KKE 22, Synaspismos 14, LAOS 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Political parties and leaders: Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza - formerly Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) [Gr. KONSTANTOPOULOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; Democratic Revival [Stelios PAPATHEMELIS]; Democratic Universal Hellas [Stergio KRIKELISI]; Ecologist Greens [Ioanna KONTOULI]; Fighting Socialist Party [Nikos KARGOPOULOS]; Greek Ecologists [Dimosthenis VERGIS]; Liberal Alliance [Foris PERIKOS]; Liberal Party [Manolis KALIGIANNIS]; Light-Truth-Justice [Konstantinos MELISSOURGOS]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Organization for the Reconstruction of the Communist Party of Greece [Ilias ZAFIROPOULOS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]; Radical Left Front [D. DESILLAS]; Regional Urban Development [Nikolaos KOLITIS]; Salvation Party Christian Democracy [Alkiviadis STOILIS]; Union of Centrists [Vassilis LEVENTIS]; United Anti-Capitalist Left [Konstantinos PAPDAKIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Dimitris DASKALOPOULOS]; General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Ioannis PANAGOPOULOS] International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alexandros P. MALLIAS chancery: 2217 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel V. SPECKHARD embassy: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Economy Greece Economy - overview: Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP at least 75% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by nearly 4.0% per year between 2003 and 2007, due partly to infrastructural spending related to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and in part to an increased availability of credit, which has sustained record levels of consumer spending. But growth dropped to 2.8% in 2008, as a result of the world financial crisis and tightening credit conditions. Greece violated the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of no more than 3% of GDP from 2001 to 2006, but finally met that criteria in 2007-08. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average, but are falling. The Greek Government continues to grapple with cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems, in the face of often vocal opposition from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public. The economy remains an important domestic political issue in Greece and, while the ruling New Democracy government has had some success in improving economic growth and reducing the budget deficit, Athens faces long-term challenges in its effort to continue its economic reforms, especially social security reform and privatization. GDP (purchasing power parity): $351.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $373.5 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $32,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 23.4% services: 73.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.96 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12.4% industry: 22.4% services: 65.1% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 26% (2000 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 24.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $132.4 billion expenditures: $143.8 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 90.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.71% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: NA Stock of domestic credit: $392.4 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $264.9 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products Industries: tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 59.33 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 55.98 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 269 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 5.894 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.5% hydro: 3.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Oil - production: 4,265 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 441,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 125,100 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 527,200 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 10 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 24 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 4.069 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 4.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.982 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$36.26 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $27.4 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles Exports - partners: Germany 11.6%, Italy 10.8%, Cyprus 6.6%, Bulgaria 6.5%, UK 5.5%, Romania 4.5%, France 4.2%, US 4.2% (2007) Imports: $82.28 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals Imports - partners: Germany 12.9%, Italy 11.7%, Russia 5.6%, France 5.6%, China 5%, Netherlands 5% (2007) Economic aid - donor: $424 million (2006) Economic aid - recipient: $8 billion annually from EU (2000-06); Greece will receive about $3.8 billion per year between 2007-13 under the EU's Community Support Funds IV Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.425 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $92.19 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $55.19 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $25.33 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications Greece Telephones - main lines in use: 6.227 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 11.997 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands international: country code - 30; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; a number of smaller submarine cables provide connectivity to various parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Cyprus; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat - Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: 5.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 36 (plus 1,341 repeaters); also 2 stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995) Televisions: 2.54 million (1997) Internet country code: .gr Internet hosts: 1.626 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 2.54 million (2007) Transportation Greece Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 66 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 9 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 12 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 1,197 km; oil 75 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,571 km standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435 m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2006) Roadways: total: 117,533 km paved: 107,895 km (includes 880 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,638 km (2005) Waterways: 6 km note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 869 by type: bulk carrier 260, cargo 66, carrier 1, chemical tanker 66, combination ore/oil 2, container 45, liquefied gas 10, passenger 13, passenger/cargo 115, petroleum tanker 274, roll on/roll off 15, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 64 (Belgium 16, Cyprus 7, Turkey 1, UK 32, US 8) registered in other countries: 2,357 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Bahamas 209, Barbados 12, Belize 1, Bermuda 9, Brazil 1, Cambodia 3, Cayman Islands 16, China 2, Comoros 6, Cyprus 259, Denmark 4, Dominica 10, Egypt 8, Georgia 5, Gibraltar 6, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 22, Isle of Man 50, Italy 6, Jamaica 6, North Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Liberia 358, Maldives 1, Malta 452, Marshall Islands 269, Norway 3, Panama 510, Philippines 4, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 71, Sao Tome and Principe 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 15, Slovakia 2, Turkey 1, UAE 3, Uruguay 1, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 3, unknown 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki Military Greece Military branches: Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES), Hellenic Navy (Ellinikos Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polimiki Aeroporia, EPA) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 19-45 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment beginning January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 1 year for all services; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,535,174 females age 16-49: 2,517,273 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,067,878 females age 16-49: 2,050,289 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 53,401 female: 50,084 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Greece Disputes - international: Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia; the mass migration of unemployed Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Illicit drugs: a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Saint Helena a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Saint Helena Introduction Saint Helena Background: Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory consisting of Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena: Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint 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. During the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, several thousand Boer prisoners were confined on the island between 1900 and 1903. Ascension Island: This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena and it served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct an airfield on Ascension in support of trans-Atlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War, and it remains a critical refueling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic. Tristan da Cunha: The island group consists of the islands of Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough. Tristan da Cunha is named after its Portuguese discoverer (1506); it was garrisoned by the British in 1816 to prevent any attempt to rescue Napoleon from Saint Helena. Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been designated World Heritage Sites. South Africa leases a site for a meteorological station on Gough Island. Geography Saint Helena Location: islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 700 nm northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 2300 nm southwest of Saint Helena Geographic coordinates: Saint Helena: 15 57 S, 5 42 W Ascension Island: 7 57 S, 14 22 W Tristan da Cunha island group: 37 15 S, 12 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 413 sq km land: Saint Helena Island 122 sq km; Ascension Island 90 sq km; Tristan da Cunha island group 201 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: Saint Helena: 60 km Ascension Island: NA Tristan da Cunha: 40 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena) Terrain: the islands of this group result from volcanic activity associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge Saint Helena: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,062 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint Helena Island 818 m Natural resources: fish, lobster Land use: arable land: 12.9% permanent crops: 0% other: 87.1% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha, last eruption in 1961 Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa People Saint Helena Population: note: only Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha islands are inhabited (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 712/female 685) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 2,744/female 2,629) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 412/female 455) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.6 years male: 37.7 years female: 37.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.445% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 11.45 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.58 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.44 years male: 75.52 years female: 81.5 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian note: referred to locally as "Saints" Ethnic groups: African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25% Religions: Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 20 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98% (1987 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government Saint Helena Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: Jamestown geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 44 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Constitution: 1 January 1989 Legal system: English common law and statutes, supplemented by local statutes Suffrage: NA years of age Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Andrew GURR (since 11 November 2007) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, three ex-officio officers, and five elected members of the Legislative Council elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the speaker, three ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 August 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12 Judicial branch: Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: other: private sector; unions International organization participation: UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship Economy Saint Helena Economy - overview: The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $27 million in FY06/07 or almost 70% of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, raising 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. GDP (purchasing power parity): $18 million (1998 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (1998 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6% industry: 48% services: 46% (1987 est.) Unemployment rate: 14% (1998 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $12.33 million expenditures: $30.28 million note: revenue data reflect locally raised revenues only; the budget deficit is resolved by grant aid from the United Kingdom (FY06/07 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (1997 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, lobster (on Tristan da Cunha); livestock Industries: construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, philatelic sales Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 8 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 7.44 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 60 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 85 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $19 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts Imports: $45 million c.i.f. (2004 est.) Imports - commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts Economic aid - recipient: $27.84 million obtained in a grant from the United Kingdom (FY06/07) Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Saint Helenian pound (SHP) Currency code: SHP Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (SHP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) note: the Saint Helenian pound is on par with the British pound Communications Saint Helena Telephones - main lines in use: Telephone system: general assessment: can communicate worldwide domestic: automatic digital network international: country code (Saint Helena) - 290, (Ascension Island) - 247; international direct dialing; satellite voice and data communications; satellite earth stations - 5 (Ascension Island - 4, Saint Helena - 1) Radio broadcast stations: Saint Helena: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 Ascension: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2005) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 0 (3 television channels are received via satellite and distributed by UHF) (2005) Televisions: Internet country code: .sh; note - Ascension Island assigned .ac Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1,000; note - includes Ascension Island (2003) Communications - note: South Africa maintains a meteorological station on Gough Island Transportation Saint Helena Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002) Ports and terminals: Saint Helena: Jamestown Ascension Island: Georgetown Tristan da Cunha: Calshot Harbor Transportation - note: there is no air connection to Saint Helena or Tristan da Cunha; an international airport for Saint Helena is in development for 2010 Military Saint Helena Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,586 females age 16-49: 1,600 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 47 female: 45 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Saint Helena Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Aruba a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Aruba Introduction Aruba Background: Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Geography Aruba Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 12 30 N, 69 58 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 193 sq km land: 193 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 68.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m Natural resources: NEGL; white sandy beaches Land use: arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005) Irrigated land: 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) People Aruba Population: note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-1999 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.1% (male 9,921/female 9,758) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 34,676/female 37,752) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 4,351/female 6,607) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.8 years male: 36 years female: 39.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.478% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 12.81 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 9.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.28 years male: 72.25 years female: 78.38 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch Ethnic groups: mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20% Religions: Roman Catholic 80.8%, Protestant 9%, other (includes Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish) 5.6%, none or unspecified 4.6% Languages: Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: NA total population: 97.3% male: 97.5% female: 97.1% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.8% of GDP (2005) Government Aruba Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba Dependency status: member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March (1976) Constitution: 1 January 1986 Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held in 2005 (next to be held by 2009) election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA 7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8, MPA 1, RED 1 Judicial branch: Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: environmental groups International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WFTU, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba Flag description: blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner Economy Aruba Economy - overview: Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993, providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.258 billion (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.258 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $21,800 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 33.3% services: 66.3% (2002 est.) Labor force: 41,500 (2004 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $507.9 million expenditures: $577.9 million (2005 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 46.3% of GDP (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Central bank discount rate: 5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.01% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $640.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $792.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.348 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: aloes; livestock; fish Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 800 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 744 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 2,356 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 7,102 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 233,300 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 238,200 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: NA Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006) Exports: $124 million f.o.b.; note - includes oil reexports (2006) Exports - commodities: live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment Exports - partners: Panama 29.7%, Colombia 17%, Netherlands Antilles 13.2%, US 11.3%, Venezuela 10.9%, Netherlands 9.2% (2007) Imports: $1.054 billion f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs Imports - partners: US 54.6%, Netherlands 12%, UK 4.7% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $11.3 million (2004) Debt - external: $478.6 million (2005 est.) Currency (code): Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Currency code: AWG Exchange rates: Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) Communications Aruba Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .aw Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: Transportation Aruba Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Ports and terminals: Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Military Aruba Military branches: no regular military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 24,585 females age 16-49: 25,742 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 20,287 females age 16-49: 21,232 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 722 female: 711 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Transnational Issues Aruba Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Botswana a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Botswana Introduction Botswana Background: Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Geography Botswana Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 600,370 sq km land: 585,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 14.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%) per capita: 107 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Environment - current issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country People Botswana Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 352,399/female 340,058) 15-64 years: 61.4% (male 613,714/female 608,003) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 31,155/female 45,547) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.7 years male: 21.5 years female: 21.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.937% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 22.96 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 14.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 5 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.85 years male: 61.72 years female: 61.99 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 23.9% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 300,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% Religions: Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census) Languages: Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.2% male: 80.4% female: 81.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 8.7% of GDP (2007) Government Botswana Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana local long form: Republic of Botswana local short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Gaborone geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009); vice president appointed by the president election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52%: note - MOGAE stepped down on 1 April 2008 and designated KHAMA to serve out the remainder of his term Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 51.7%, BNF 26.1%, BCP 16.6%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1 Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district) Political parties and leaders: Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Ian KHAMA]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD] note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE] Political pressure groups and leaders: First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites) other: diamond mining companies International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 395-3982 FAX: [267] 395-6947 Flag description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Economy Botswana Economy - overview: Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth slowed to about 5% annually in 2006-08. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of nearly $15,800 in 2008. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects. GDP (purchasing power parity): $29.17 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $13.81 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $15,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.6% industry: 52.6% (including 36% mining) services: 45.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 288,400 formal sector employees (2004) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 7.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 23.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.556 billion expenditures: $4.127 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Public debt: 5.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 14.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.22% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.026 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.336 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $5.887 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 979 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 2.574 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.959 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,640 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 14,500 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $1.611 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $5.127 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles Imports: $3.931 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products Economic aid - recipient: $70.89 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $10.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $395 million (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): pula (BWP) Currency code: BWP Exchange rates: pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.7907 (2008 est.), 6.2035 (2007), 5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004) Communications Botswana Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.427 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile-cellular service and participation in regional development; system is fully digital with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east; fixed-line connections declined in recent years and now stand at roughly 8 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density currently is about 80 per 100 persons domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile-cellular service is growing fast international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 2 (1 state-owned, 1 private) Televisions: Internet country code: .bw Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Botswana Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 74 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 54 under 914 m: 17 (2007) Railways: total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 25,798 km paved: 8,410 km unpaved: 17,388 km (2005) Military Botswana Military branches: Botswana Defense Force: Ground Forces (includes Air Wing) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 487,853 females age 16-49: 464,278 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 341,190 females age 16-49: 315,588 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 23,420 female: 22,904 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Botswana Disputes - international: Botswana still struggles to seal its border from thousands of Zimbabweans who flee economic collapse and political persecution; Namibia has long supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River at Kazungula crossing, thereby de facto recognizing the short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Arctic Ocean a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Arctic Ocean Introduction Arctic Ocean Background: The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean. Geography Arctic Ocean Location: body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle Geographic coordinates: 90 00 N, 0 00 E Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 14.056 million sq km note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Coastline: 45,389 km Climate: polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow Terrain: central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that, on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales) Natural hazards: ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack Geography - note: major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10 months Economy Arctic Ocean Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. Transportation Arctic Ocean Ports and terminals: Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) Transportation - note: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways Transnational Issues Arctic Ocean Disputes - international: the littoral states are engaged in various stages of demonstrating the limits of their continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles from their declared baselines in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; record summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has restimulated interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Monaco a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Monaco Introduction Monaco Background: The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late 13th century, and a principality was established in 1338. Economic 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. Geography Monaco Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 1.95 sq km land: 1.95 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km Coastline: 4.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban People Monaco Population: 32,965 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.6% (male 2,466/female 2,349) 15-64 years: 62.4% (male 10,184/female 10,395) 65 years and over: 23% (male 3,068/female 4,503) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 45.7 years male: 43.6 years female: 47.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.394% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 12.96 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 7.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.09 years male: 76.3 years female: 84.09 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) adjective: Monegasque or Monacan Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10% Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2004) Government Monaco Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Monaco conventional short form: Monaco local long form: Principaute de Monaco local short form: Monaco Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Monaco geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none; 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-Carlo Independence: 1419 (beginning of rule by the House of Grimaldi) National holiday: National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857) Constitution: 17 December 1962; modified 2 April 2002 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005) head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government Legislative branch: unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional representation; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held February 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - UPM 52.2%, REM 40.5%, Monaco Together 7.3%; seats by party - UPM 21, REM 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council) Political parties and leaders: Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco or UNAM); Rally and Issues for Monaco or REM; Monaco Together Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador to the US and UN Gilles NOGHES chancery: 3400 Interntional Drive NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-1530 FAX: (202) 552-5778 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France), under the authority of the US ambassador to France, handles routine diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red Economy Monaco Economy - overview: Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a major banking center and 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. GDP (purchasing power parity): $976.3 million note: Monaco does not publish national income figures; the estimates are extremely rough (2006 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 0.9% (2000 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $30,000 (2006 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 4.9% services: 95.1% (2005) Labor force: note: includes workers from all foreign countries (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $863 million expenditures: $920.6 million (2005 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: none Industries: tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Exports: $716.3 million note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005) Imports: $916.1 million note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005) Economic aid - recipient: $NA Debt - external: $18 billion (2000 est.) Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications Monaco Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: modern automatic telephone system; the country's sole fixed line operator offers a full range of services to residential and business customers domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeds 100% international: country code - 377; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 11, shortwave 1 (2008) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .mc Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Monaco Heliports: Roadways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km (2007) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 70 (Bahamas 15, Georgia 4, Isle of Man 3, Liberia 8, Marshall Islands 13, Norway 5, Panama 16, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Vanuatu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Monaco Military Monaco Military branches: no regular military forces; the Palace Guard performs ceremonial duties Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,687 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,495 females age 16-49: 5,406 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 190 female: 182 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Monaco Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Israel a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Israel Introduction Israel Background: Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia - the "Quartet" - took the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. An Israeli-Palestinian agreement reached at Sharm al-Sheikh in February 2005, along with an internally-brokered Palestinian ceasefire, significantly reduced the violence. In the summer of 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS in January 2006 to head the Palestinian Legislative Council froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ehud OLMERT became prime minister in March 2006; he shelved plans to unilaterally evacuate from most of the West Bank following an Israeli military operation in Gaza in June-July 2006 and a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006. OLMERT in June 2007 resumed talks with the PA after HAMAS seized control of the Gaza Strip and PA President Mahmoud ABBAS formed a new government without HAMAS. OLMERT in September 2008 resigned in the wake of several corruption allegations, but remains prime minister until a new government is formed after the general election in February 2009. Geography Israel Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Geographic coordinates: 31 30 N, 34 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 20,770 sq km land: 20,330 sq km water: 440 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,017 km border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km Coastline: 273 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m Natural resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Land use: arable land: 15.45% permanent crops: 3.88% other: 80.67% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,940 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.05 cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%) per capita: 305 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes Environment - current issues: limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: there are about 340 Israeli civilian sites - including 100 small outpost communities in the West Bank - as well as 42 sites in the Golan Heights, 0 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (July 2008 est.); Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source People Israel Population: note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.9% (male 1,031,629/female 984,230) 15-64 years: 62.3% (male 2,283,034/female 2,221,301) 65 years and over: 9.9% (male 311,218/female 402,289) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 28.4 years female: 29.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.671% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 20.02 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.73 years male: 78.62 years female: 82.95 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.75 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,100 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Ethnic groups: Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004) Religions: Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004) Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.1% male: 98.5% female: 95.9% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.9% of GDP (2004) Government Israel Country name: conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local long form: Medinat Yisra'el local short form: Yisra'el Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Jerusalem geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv Administrative divisions: 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Constitution: no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note - since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution Legal system: mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Ehud OLMERT (since May 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI; note - Prime Minister OLMERT resigned on 17 September 2008, but will serve as acting prime minister until a new government is formed cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset elections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition election results: Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21; PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed) Legislative branch: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Kadima 23.2%, Likud-Ahi 22.3%, Yisrael Beiteinu 12.1%, Labor 10.2%, SHAS 8.8%, United Torah Judaism 4.5%, United Arab List 3.5%, NU 3.4%, Hadash 3.4%, The Jewish Home 3%, The New Movement-Meretz 3%, Balad 2.6%; seats by party - Kadima 28, Likud-Ahi 27, Yisrael Beiteinu 15, Labor 13, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 5, United Arab List 4, NU 4, HADASH 4, The Jewish Home 3, The New Movement-Meretz 3, Balad 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70) Political parties and leaders: Balad [Azmi BISHARA]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]; Kadima [Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI]; Labor Party [Ehud BARAK]; Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]; National Union [Yaakov KATZ]; The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Daniel HERSCHKOWITZ]; SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]; The New Movement-Meretz [Haim ORON]; United Arab List-Ta'al [Ibrahim SARSUR]; United Torah Judaism or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN]; Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses; Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary General] supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; YESHA Council of Settlements [Danny DAYAN, Chairman] promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise International organization participation: BIS, BSEC (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Salai MERIDOR chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James B. CUNNINGHAM embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903 mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7575 FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390 consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government Flag description: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag Economy Israel Economy - overview: Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial, though diminishing, government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports substantial quantities of grain but is largely self-sufficient in other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, its major source of economic and military aid. Israel's GDP, after contracting slightly in 2001 and 2002 due to the Palestinian conflict and troubles in the high-technology sector, has grown by about 5% per year since 2003. The economy grew an estimated 4.2% in 2008, slowed by the global financial crisis. The government's prudent fiscal policy and structural reforms over the past few years have helped to induce strong foreign investment, tax revenues, and private consumption, setting the economy on a solid growth path. GDP (purchasing power parity): $205.7 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $188.7 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $28,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 31.7% services: 65.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.95 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 16% services: 82% (30 September 2008) Unemployment rate: 6.1% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.2% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 18% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $68.44 billion expenditures: $70.06 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 75.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.27% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $15.36 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of quasi money: $154.3 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $113.4 billion (31 December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $236.4 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products Industries: high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 48.7 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 44.74 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 1.844 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 5,966 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 232,300 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 82,910 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 334,300 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 1.94 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 2.35 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.27 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 30.44 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $1.893 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $54.16 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel Exports - partners: US 35%, Belgium 7.5%, Hong Kong 5.8% (2007) Imports: $62.52 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods Imports - partners: US 13.9%, Belgium 7.9%, Germany 6.2%, China 6.1%, Switzerland 5.1%, UK 4.7%, Italy 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $240 million from US (FY06) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $38.66 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $91.25 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $68.06 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $51.94 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): new Israeli shekel (ILS); note - NIS is the currency abbreviation; ILS is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code for the NIS Currency code: ILS Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Communications Israel Telephones - main lines in use: 3.005 million (2006) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.902 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately-owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage; mobile-cellular teledensity is 140 per 100 persons international: country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 3.07 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 17 (plus 36 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 1.69 million (1997) Internet country code: .il Internet hosts: 1.415 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 2 million (2007) Transportation Israel Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 6 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 20 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 176 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2008) Railways: total: 853 km standard gauge: 853 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 17,870 km paved: 17,870 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2007) Merchant marine: total: 11 by type: cargo 2, container 9 registered in other countries: 60 (Bermuda 3, Cyprus 4, Georgia 2, Honduras 1, Liberia 23, Malta 18, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Slovakia 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa Military Israel Military branches: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Forces (INF), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,717,362 females age 16-49: 1,636,574 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,474,966 females age 16-49: 1,404,712 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 61,223 female: 58,219 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Israel Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 150,000-420,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern Israel) (2007) Illicit drugs: increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Tajikistan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Tajikistan Introduction Tajikistan Background: The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Much of present-day Sughd province was transferred from the Uzbekistan SSR to newly formed Tajikistan SSR in 1929. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Sughd province. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and it is now in the process of strengthening its democracy and transitioning to a free market economy after its 1992-97 civil war. There have been no major security incidents in recent years, although the country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Attention by the international community in the wake of the war in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development and security assistance, which could create jobs and increase stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace. Geography Tajikistan Location: Central Asia, west of China Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 143,100 sq km land: 142,700 sq km water: 400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: total: 3,651 km border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m Natural resources: hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold Land use: arable land: 6.52% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.59% (2005) Irrigated land: 7,220 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 99.7 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 11.96 cu km/yr (4%/5%/92%) per capita: 1,837 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes and floods Environment - current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR People Tajikistan Population: 7,349,145 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.3% (male 1,282,681/female 1,238,607) 15-64 years: 62.1% (male 2,260,552/female 2,303,034) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 112,334/female 151,937) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.9 years male: 21.5 years female: 22.4 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.878% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 27.18 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.94 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 41.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.33 years male: 62.29 years female: 68.52 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.3% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Tajikistani(s) adjective: Tajikistani Ethnic groups: Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census) Religions: Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.) Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.5% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2006) Government Tajikistan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan conventional short form: Tajikistan local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston local short form: Tojikiston former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Dushanbe geographic coordinates: 38 35 N, 68 48 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* [Gorno-Badakhshan] (Khorugh), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand) note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) Constitution: 6 November 1994 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimjon BOBOEV 6.2%, other 14.5% Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (34 seats; 25 members selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; 1 seat reserved for the former president; to serve five-year terms) and the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 25 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010); Assembly of Representatives 27 February and 13 March 2005 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDPT 29, CPT 2, independents 3; Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 74.9%, CPT 13.6%, Islamic Revival Party 8.9%, other 2.5%; seats by party - PDPT 51, CPT 5, Islamic Revival Party 2, independents 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Amir QARAQULOV]; Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV (imprisoned October 2005); Rahmatullo VALIYEV, deputy]; Islamic Revival Party [Muhiddin KABIRI]; Party of Economic Reform or PER [Olimjon BOBOEV]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOYIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Mirhuseyn NARZIEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV] Political pressure groups and leaders: splinter parties recognized by the government but not by the base of the party: Democratic Party or DPT [Masud SOBIROV] (splintered from ISKANDAROV's DPT); Socialist Party or SPT [Abduhalim GHAFFOROV] (splintered from NARZIEV's SPT) unregistered political parties: Agrarian Party [Hikmatullo NASREDDINOV]; Progressive Party [Sulton QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatullo SAIDOV] International organization participation: ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdujabbor SHIRINOV chancery: 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090 FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON embassy: 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe 734019 mailing address: 7090 Dushanbe Place, Dulles, VA 20189 telephone: [992] (37) 229-20-00 FAX: [992] (37) 229-20-50 Flag description: three 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 Economy Tajikistan Economy - overview: Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15 former Soviet republics. Only 7% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop, but this sector is burdened with debt and an obsolete infrastructure. Mineral resources 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 civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Tajikistan's economic situation remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, corruption, weak governance, widespread unemployment, seasonal power shortages, and the external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia in December 2002 including a $250 million write-off of Tajikistan's $300 million debt. Completion of the Sangtuda I hydropower dam - built with Russian investment - and the Sangtuda II and Rogun dams will add substantially to electricity output. If finished according to Tajik plans, Rogun will be the world's tallest dam. Tajikistan has also received substantial infrastructure development loans from the Chinese government to improve roads and an electricity transmission network. To help increase north-south trade, the US funded a $36 million bridge which opened in August 2007 and links Tajikistan and Afghanistan. While, Tajikistan has experienced steady economic growth since 1997, nearly two-thirds of the population continues to live in poverty. Economic growth reached 10.6% in 2004, but dropped to roughly 8% in 2005-07, and 4.5% in 2008, as the effects of the international financial crisis began to register - mainly in the form of lower prices for key commodities. GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.04 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.788 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 29.4% services: 47.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.1 million (2007) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 67.2% industry: 7.5% services: 25.3% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% official rate; actual unemployment is higher (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 60% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 25.6% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 13.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $872.3 million expenditures: $886.8 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 22.87% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $91.59 million (31 December 2006) Stock of quasi money: $161 million (31 December 2006) Stock of domestic credit: $417.4 million (31 December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead; chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 17.4 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 17.9 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - exports: 4.259 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 4.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.9% hydro: 98.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 281 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 31,590 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 248 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 7,600 bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: 12 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 32 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 842 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 810 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$584 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.675 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles Exports - partners: Netherlands 38.9%, Turkey 32.5%, Russia 6.6%, Uzbekistan 5.9%, Iran 5.1% (2007) Imports: $3.798 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Russia 32.1%, Kazakhstan 13.1%, China 10.8%, Uzbekistan 8.4% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $241.4 million from US (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $394 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.681 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $88.93 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $8.463 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): somoni (TJS) Currency code: TJS Exchange rates: Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar - 3.4563 (2008 est.), 3.4418 (2007), 3.3 (2006), 3.1166 (2005), 2.9705 (2004) Communications Tajikistan Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: poorly developed and not well maintained; many towns are not linked to the national network domestic: the domestic telecommunications network has historically been under funded and poorly maintained; main line availability has not changed significantly since 1998; cellular telephone use is growing but geographic coverage remains limited international: country code - 992; 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 - 3 (2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita) (2006) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2002) Radios: 1.291 million (1991) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .tj Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Tajikistan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 under 914 m: 8 (2007) Pipelines: gas 549 km; oil 38 km (2008) Railways: total: 482 km broad gauge: 482 km 1.520-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 27,767 km (2000) Waterways: 200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2008) Military Tajikistan Military branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Mobile Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,897,356 females age 16-49: 1,911,594 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,428,218 females age 16-49: 1,603,779 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 80,819 female: 78,460 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Tajikistan Disputes - international: in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan Trafficking in persons: current situation: Tajikistan is a source country for women trafficked through Kyrgyzstan and Russia to the UAE, Turkey, and Russia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Russia and Kazakhstan for the purpose of forced labor, primarily in the construction and agricultural industries; boys and girls are trafficked internally for various purposes, including forced labor and forced begging tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Tajikistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, especially efforts to investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence traffickers; despite evidence of low- and mid-level officials' complicity in trafficking, the government did not punish any public officials for trafficking complicity during 2007; lack of capacity and poor coordination between government institutions remained key obstacles to effective anti-trafficking efforts (2008) Illicit drugs: major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium); significant consumer of opiates This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Seychelles a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Seychelles Introduction Seychelles Background: A 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. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term. Geography Seychelles Location: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 4 35 S, 55 40 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 455 sq km land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees Land use: arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 84.79% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible Environment - current issues: water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: 41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands People Seychelles Population: 87,476 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.8% (male 10,201/female 9,732) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 31,870/female 29,439) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 2,321/female 3,913) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 31.4 years male: 30.9 years female: 32 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.999% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 15.6 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.21 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.02 years male: 68.33 years female: 77.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois Ethnic groups: mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab Religions: Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census) Languages: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 91.4% female: 92.3% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2007) Education expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (2006) Government Seychelles Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles local long form: Republic of Seychelles local short form: Seychelles Government type: republic Capital: name: Victoria geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK) National holiday: Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) Constitution: 18 June 1993 Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.73%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.71%, Philippe BOULLE 0.56%; note - this was the first election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 10-12 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 56.2%, SNP 43.8%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO); Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party) Political pressure groups and leaders: Roman Catholic Church other: trade unions International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles Flag description: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side Economy Seychelles Economy - overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries. 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 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. Sharp drops illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf War and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Economic growth slowed in 1998-2002 and fell in 2003-04, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors, but resumed in 2005-07. Real GDP grew by 5.8% in 2007, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy is struggling to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation and large financing gaps. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. Seychelles requested an IMF Stand-By Agreement in December 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.537 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $779 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $18,700 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.9% industry: 28.3% services: 69.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2006) Unemployment rate: 2% (2006 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 10.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $318.1 million expenditures: $324.6 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 92.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.13% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.89% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $330.8 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $249 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $660.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; poultry; tuna Industries: fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 208 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 193.4 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 6,560 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2006) Oil - imports: 5,722 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$307 million (2008 est.) Exports: $425 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports) Exports - partners: UK 23.7%, France 19.8%, Mauritius 10%, Japan 8.3%, Italy 5.7%, Spain 5.1% (2007) Imports: $952 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 17.6%, Germany 10.8%, France 8.1%, Spain 7.6%, South Africa 6.4%, Singapore 5.8% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $18.81 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $59 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.161 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): Seychelles rupee (SCR) Currency code: SCR Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 8 (2008 est.), 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006), 5.5 (2005), 5.5 (2004) Communications Seychelles Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: effective system domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 125 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .sc Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Seychelles Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2007) Roadways: total: 458 km paved: 440 km unpaved: 18 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 8 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6 foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Victoria Military Seychelles Military branches: Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 23,598 females age 16-49: 24,424 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,702 females age 16-49: 19,780 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 714 female: 685 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Seychelles Disputes - international: together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Morocco a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Morocco Introduction Morocco Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were 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, which first met in 1997. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. Geography Morocco Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 446,550 sq km land: 446,300 sq km water: 250 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 2,017.9 km border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km Coastline: 1,835 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 2% other: 79% (2005) Irrigated land: 14,450 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 29 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%) per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: land 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 waters Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar People Morocco Population: 34,859,364 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 5,333,396/female 5,131,886) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 11,261,139/female 11,305,792) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 781,089/female 1,046,062) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25 years male: 24.5 years female: 25.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.479% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 21.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 36.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.8 years male: 69.42 years female: 74.3 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 21,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 52.3% male: 65.7% female: 39.6% (2004 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 9 years (2005) Education expenditures: NA Government Morocco Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Rabat geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region which falls entirely within Western Sahara Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) Constitution: 10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003) Executive branch: chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (325 seats; 295 members elected by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 8 September 2006 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 17, MP 14, RNI 13, USFP 11, UC 6, PND 4, PPS 4, Al Ahd 4, other 17; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 52, PJD 46, MP 41, RNI 39, USFP 38, UC 27, PPS 17, FFD 9, MDS 9, Al Ahd 8, other 39 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]; Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Alliance des Libert'es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH]; Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Citizens' Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE]; Labor Party or PT [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]; Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abdelwahed RADI]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER] Political pressure groups and leaders: Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK] International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert P. JACKSON embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718 telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912 Economy Morocco Economy - overview: Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. Morocco's GDP growth rose to 5.3% in 2008, with the economy recovering from a draught in 2007 that severely reduced agricultural output and necessitated wheat imports at rising world prices. Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums. Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles. GDP (purchasing power parity): $137.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $90.47 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,000 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.7% industry: 38.9% services: 46.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 11.5 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44.6% industry: 19.8% services: 35.5% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.1% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 15% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.9% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 40 (2005 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 31.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $26.09 billion expenditures: $28.41 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 60.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $67.42 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $16.23 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $71.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $75.49 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 21.88 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 19.58 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.998 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.4% hydro: 4.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 3,746 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 179,700 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 24,360 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 192,500 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 836,000 bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 60 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 60 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.557 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$1.667 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $16.14 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish Exports - partners: Spain 21.2%, France 19%, Italy 4.9%, UK 4.6%, India 4.2% (2007) Imports: $34.44 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics Imports - partners: France 16.1%, Spain 13.6%, China 7.3%, Italy 6.7%, Saudi Arabia 6.4%, Germany 5.9%, US 4.5%, Netherlands 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $651.8 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $27.29 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $21.11 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $35.36 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $582 million (2008 est.) Currency (code): Moroccan dirham (MAD) Currency code: MAD Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004) Communications Morocco Telephones - main lines in use: 2.394 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 20.029 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however, density is low with only 7 fixed lines available for each 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership reached 60 per 100 persons in 2007 domestic: 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 international: country code - 212; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; 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 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998) Radios: 6.64 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 3.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .ma Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 7.3 million (2007) Transportation Morocco Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 33 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 11 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 830 km; oil 439 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,907 km standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 57,625 km paved: 35,664 km (includes 639 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,961 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 35 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4 foreign-owned: 16 (France 14, Germany 2) registered in other countries: 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Safi Military Morocco Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya; Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,152,580 females age 16-49: 9,080,830 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,779,589 females age 16-49: 7,881,024 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 356,014 female: 343,520 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5% of GDP (2003 est.) Transnational Issues Morocco Disputes - international: claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa Illicit drugs: one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Namibia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Namibia Introduction Namibia Background: South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa 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 became 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. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. Geography Namibia Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 825,418 sq km land: 825,418 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska Land boundaries: total: 3,936 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km Coastline: 1,572 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore Land use: arable land: 0.99% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99% (2005) Irrigated land: 80 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 45.5 cu km (1991) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%) per capita: 148 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip People Namibia Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.9% (male 381,904/female 375,059) 15-64 years: 60.2% (male 641,995/female 627,146) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 36,894/female 45,667) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21 years male: 20.9 years female: 21.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.95% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 23.19 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 14.07 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 45.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.24 years male: 51.61 years female: 50.86 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 15.3% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,100 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2008) Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian Ethnic groups: black 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 include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5% Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85% male: 86.8% female: 83.5% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.9% of GDP (2003) Government Namibia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia local long form: Republic of Namibia local short form: Namibia former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa Government type: republic Capital: name: Windhoek geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Den ULENGA 7.3%, Katuutire KAURA 5.1%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 4.2%, Justus GAROEB 3.8%, other 3.2% Legislative branch: 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) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2010); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76.1%, COD 7.3%, DTA 5.1%, NUDO 4.2%, UDF 3.6%, RP 1.9%, MAG 0.8%, other 1.0%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, NUDO 3, UDF 3, RP 1, MAG 1 note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Political parties and leaders: All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] Political pressure groups and leaders: Earthlife Namibia [Berthchen KOHRS] (environmentalist group); National Society for Human Rights or NSHR; The World Information Services of Energy or WISE (group against nuclear power) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick NANDAGO chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador G. Dennise MATHIEU embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500 FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603 Flag description: a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green Economy Namibia Economy - overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Increased payments from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence, but SACU payments will decline after 2008 as part of a new revenue sharing formula. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-07, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches and high costs for metal inputs. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.59 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $7.781 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.4% industry: 36.2% services: 53.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 667,000 (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 47% industry: 20% services: 33% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 5% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 64.5% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 27.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.668 billion expenditures: $2.896 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Public debt: 24.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.3% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.88% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.149 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.493 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $4.446 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $702 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 1.606 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 3.194 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 40 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.948 billion kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: NA Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 19,840 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 17,750 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $326 million (2008 est.) Exports: $2.98 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins Imports: $3.56 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $123.4 million (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.375 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.151 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) Currency code: NAD; ZAR Exchange rates: Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.18 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004) Communications Namibia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 45 per 100 persons domestic: core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital; Namibia's first mobile-cellular network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .na Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Namibia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 116 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 72 under 914 m: 20 (2007) Railways: total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 42,237 km paved: 5,406 km unpaved: 36,831 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 1 by type: cargo 1 registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Luderitz, Walvis Bay Military Namibia Military branches: Namibian Defense Force: Army, Navy, Air Wing (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 527,948 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 329,614 females age 16-49: 294,490 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 25,857 female: 25,505 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Namibia Disputes - international: concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 4,700 (Angola) (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- British Virgin Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   British Virgin Islands Introduction British Virgin Islands Background: First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Geography British Virgin Islands Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 153 sq km land: 153 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico People British Virgin Islands Population: 24,491 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,454/female 2,387) 15-64 years: 74.4% (male 9,346/female 8,881) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 734/female 689) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 32.3 years male: 32.4 years female: 32.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.837% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 14.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 8.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.26 years male: 76.03 years female: 78.55 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 83.4%, white 7%, mixed 5.4%, Indian 3.4%, other 0.8% (1991 census) Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA% School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 15 years female: 19 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2006) Government British Virgin Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing Government type: NA Capital: name: Road Town geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July (1956) Constitution: 13 June 2007 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006) head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] Political pressure groups and leaders: The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk other: environmentalists International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) Economy British Virgin Islands Economy - overview: The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. GDP (purchasing power parity): $853.4 million (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $839.7 million (2003) GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,500 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.6% industry: 40% services: 59.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $204.7 million expenditures: $180.4 million (2004) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 45 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 41.85 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 650 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 650 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $134.3 million (1999) Exports: $25.3 million (2002) Exports - commodities: rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand Imports: $187 million (2002 est.) Imports - commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery Economic aid - recipient: $NA Debt - external: $36.1 million (1997) Currency (code): US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications British Virgin Islands Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .vg Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation British Virgin Islands Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 200 km paved: 200 km (2007) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Road Town Military British Virgin Islands Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,101 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,979 females age 16-49: 5,738 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 178 female: 173 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues British Virgin Islands Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Ireland a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Ireland Introduction Ireland Background: Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998. Geography Ireland Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 70,280 sq km land: 68,890 sq km water: 1,390 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m Natural resources: natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite Land use: arable land: 16.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 83.15% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 46.8 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.18 cu km/yr (23%/77%/0%) per capita: 284 cu m/yr (1994) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin People Ireland Population: 4,203,200 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 454,571/female 424,022) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,411,336/female 1,409,760) 65 years and over: 12% (male 224,850/female 278,661) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35 years male: 34.2 years female: 35.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.12% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 14.33 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.24 years male: 75.6 years female: 81.06 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,500 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Ethnic groups: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census) Languages: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 18 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2005) Government Ireland Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire Government type: republic, parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Dublin geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow Independence: 6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty) National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Constitution: adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937 Legal system: based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Brian COWEN (since 7 May 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October 2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to a second term when no other candidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote - Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6% note: government coalition - Fianna Fail, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats (disbanding), and independent members of Parliament Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in July 2007 (next to be held by July 2012); House of Representatives - last held 24 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fianna Fail 28, Fine Gael 14, Labor Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, Green Party 2, Sein Fein 1, independents 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.6%, Fine Gael 27.3%, Labor Party 10.1%, Sinn Fein 6.9%, Green Party 4.7%, Progressive Democrats 2.7%, other 6.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 78, Fine Gael 51, Labor Party 20, Sinn Fein 4, Green Party 6, Progressive Democrats 2, independents 4, Speaker of the Dail 1 note: the Progressive Democrats are disbanding and members expected to be independents Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Fianna Fail [Brian COWEN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [John GORMLEY]; Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]; Progressive Democrats [Ciaran CANNON] (disbanding); Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Mick FINNEGAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian McCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence); Families Against Intimidation and Terror or FAIT (oppose terrorism); Gaeltacht Civil Rights Campaign (Coiste Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeilge) or CCSG (encourages the use of the Irish language and campaigns for greater civil rights in Irish speaking areas); Irish Republican Army or IRA (terrorist group); Keep Ireland Open (environmental group); Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters); Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 - transportation promoters); 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM (supports a fully sovereign Ireland); Ulster Defence Association or UDA (terrorist group) International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael COLLINS chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert J. FAUCHER embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red Economy Ireland Economy - overview: Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply in 2008 and Ireland entered into a recession for the first time in more than a decade with the onset of the world financial crisis and subsequent severe slowdown in the property and construction markets. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Although the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, remains a key component of Ireland's economy, construction most recently fueled economic growth along with strong consumer spending and business investment. Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2006 than in any other developed world economy. Per capita GDP also surged during Ireland's high-growth years, and in 2007 surpassed that of the United States. The Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, invest in infrastructure, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. In 2008 the COWEN government moved to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the country's economic downturn. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations. GDP (purchasing power parity): $198.5 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $285 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.7% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $47,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.) Labor force: 2.27 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6% industry: 27% services: 67% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 7% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 27.2% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 19.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $93.84 billion expenditures: $110.8 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 31.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: NA Stock of domestic credit: $768.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $144 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products Industries: steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment; glass and crystal; software, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2007 est.) Electricity - production: 25.77 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 25.67 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 82 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 1.412 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.9% hydro: 2.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - consumption: 200,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 29,780 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 194,000 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 457 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 4.984 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 4.552 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$8.621 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $128 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products Exports - partners: UK 18.7%, US 17.9%, Belgium 14.5%, Germany 7.4%, France 5.8% (2007) Imports: $91.27 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing Imports - partners: UK 38.3%, US 11.3%, Germany 9.7%, Netherlands 5%, France 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.022 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $926.2 million (2006 est.) Debt - external: $1.841 trillion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $216 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $149.1 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6689 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications Ireland Telephones - main lines in use: 2.112 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.94 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay domestic: system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access international: country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 2.55 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (many repeaters); (projected digital broadcasting scheduled to be launched in 2009) (2008) Televisions: 1.82 million (2001) Internet country code: .ie Internet hosts: 1.242 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1.708 million (2007) Transportation Ireland Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 16 (2007) Pipelines: gas 1,550 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,237 km broad gauge: 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2006) Roadways: total: 96,602 km paved: 96,602 km (includes 200 km of expressways) (2003) Waterways: 956 km (pleasure craft only) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 29 by type: cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 2 (US 2) registered in other countries: 21 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 10, Slovakia 1, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes Military Ireland Military branches: Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireann): Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps (Aer-Chor na h-Eireann)) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17-25 years of age for male or female voluntary military service (17-27 years of age for the Naval Service); enlistees 16 years of age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; maximum obligation 12 years; 17-35 years of age for the Reserve Defense Forces; EU citizenship or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,024,635 females age 16-49: 1,024,276 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 857,162 females age 16-49: 854,416 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 28,072 female: 26,400 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Ireland Disputes - international: Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Taiwan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Taiwan Introduction Taiwan Background: In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan 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 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform. Geography Taiwan Location: 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 China Geographic coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 35,980 sq km land: 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,566.3 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% other: 75% (2001) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 67 cu km (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes and typhoons Environment - current issues: air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait People Taiwan Population: 22,974,347 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 1,996,905/female 1,844,611) 15-64 years: 72.6% (male 8,416,300/female 8,267,675) 65 years and over: 10.7% (male 1,183,382/female 1,265,474) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.5 years male: 35.9 years female: 37.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.227% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 8.99 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.65 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.96 years male: 75.12 years female: 81.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Taiwan (singular and plural) note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan adjective: Taiwan Ethnic groups: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2% Religions: mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5% Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.1% male: NA female: NA (2003) Education expenditures: NA Government Taiwan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan former: Formosa Government type: multiparty democracy Capital: name: Taipei geographic coordinates: 25 03 N, 121 30 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities (chuan-shih, singular and plural) note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei. counties: Changhua, Chiayi [county], Hsinchu, Hualien, Kaohsiung [county], Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taichung, Tainan, Taipei [county], Taitung, Taoyuan, Yilan, and Yunlin municipalities: Chiayi [city], Hsinchu, Keelung, Taichung, Tainan special municipalities: Kaohsiung [city], Taipei [city] National holiday: Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911) Constitution: 25 December 1947; amended in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005 note: constitution adopted on 25 December 1946; went into effect on 25 December 1947 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIU Chao-shiuan (since 20 May 2008); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Paul CHIU (CHANG-hsiung) (since 20 May 2008) cabinet: Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: MA Ying-jeou elected president on 22 March 2008; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55%; MA Ying-jeou took office on 20 May 2008 Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats - 73 district members elected by popular vote, 34 at-large members elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received by participating political parties, 6 elected by popular vote among aboriginal populations; to serve four-year terms); parties must receive 5% of vote to qualify for at-large seats elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 12 January 2008 (next to be held in December 2011 or January 2012) election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 53.5%, DPP 38.2%, NPSU 2.4%, PFP 0.3%, others 1.6%, independents 4%; seats by party - KMT 81, DPP 27, NPSU 3, PFP 1, independent 1 Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [WU Po-hsiung]; Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG] Political pressure groups and leaders: Organization for Taiwan Nation Building; World United Formosans for Independence other: environmental groups; independence movement; various business 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 public consensus has developed that the government enjoys popular sovereignty and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding unification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland International organization participation: ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC, IOC, ITUC, WCL, WFTU, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), which has its headquarters in Taipei and in the US in Washington, DC; there are also branch offices called Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in 12 other US cities Diplomatic representation from the US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality - the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) - which has offices in the US and Taiwan; US office at 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-1996, telephone: [1] (703) 525-8474, FAX: [1] (703) 841-1385); Taiwan offices at #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (2) 2162-2000, FAX: [886] (2) 2162-2251; #2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (7) 238-7744, FAX: [886] (7) 238-5237; and the American Trade Center, Room 3208 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei, Taiwan 10548, telephone: [886] (2) 2720-1550, FAX: [886] (2) 2757-7162 Flag description: red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays Economy Taiwan Economy - overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by the authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are among the world's largest. Recently opened cross-strait travel, transportation, and tourism links are likely to increase Taiwan's economic interdependence on China, which has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market and its second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Growth fell below 2% in 2008 because of the global slowdown. GDP (purchasing power parity): $738.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $401.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $31,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 27.8% services: 70.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 10.85 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.1% industry: 36.8% services: 58% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 0.95% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.7% highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 20.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $50.91 billion expenditures: $54.7 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 30.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: NA Stock of quasi money: NA Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $654 billion (28 December 2007) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish Industries: electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: -2% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 225.3 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - consumption: 233 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 6% nuclear: 22.6% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 1,306 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 935,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 340,200 bbl/day (2007) Oil - imports: 660,400 bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: 1.88 million bbl (2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 416 million cu m (2007) Natural gas - consumption: 13.6 billion cu m (2007) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - imports: 10.9 billion cu m (2007) Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2008) Current account balance: $25 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $255.7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: electronics, flat panels, machinery, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals, auto parts (2008) Exports - partners: China 32.6%, US 12.9%, Hong Kong 8.6%, Japan 6.4%, Singapore 5% (2007) Imports: $236 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: electronics, machinery, petroleum, precision instruments, organic chemicals, metals (2008) Imports - partners: Japan 22.7%, US 13.3%, China 11.2%, South Korea 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 4.8%, Singapore 4.6% (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $296.4 billion (31 December 2008) Debt - external: $109.6 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $102.3 billion (2008) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $135.3 billion (2008) Currency (code): New Taiwan dollar (TWD) Currency code: TWD Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 31.53 (2008 est.), 32.84 (2007), 32.534 (2006), 31.71 (2005), 34.418 (2004) Communications Taiwan Telephones - main lines in use: 14.313 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 24.302 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: provides telecommunications service for every business and private need domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized international: country code - 886; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Radio broadcast stations: AM 21, FM 143, shortwave 1 (2008) Radios: 16 million (1994) Television broadcast stations: 76 (5 television networks with 46 digital and 30 analog stations) (2007) Televisions: 8.8 million (1998) Internet country code: .tw Internet hosts: 5.225 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 14.76 million (2007) Transportation Taiwan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 406 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,588 km standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,093 km 1.067-m gauge note: 150 km .762-m gauge (belonging primarily to Taiwan Sugar Corporation and Taiwan Forestry Bureau; some to other entities) (2007) Roadways: total: 40,262 km paved: 38,171 km (includes 976 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,091 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 102 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 19, chemical tanker 1, container 24, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Canada 2, France 1) registered in other countries: 536 (Bolivia 1, Cambodia 1, Honduras 2, Hong Kong 11, Indonesia 2, Italy 13, Kiribati 5, Liberia 91, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 320, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 72, Thailand 1, UK 11, unknown 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Taichung Military Taiwan Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command Military service age and obligation: 19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; service obligation 14 months (reducing to 1 year in 2009); women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense has announced plans to implement an incremental voluntary enlistment system beginning 2010, with 10% fewer conscripts each year thereafter, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 3-4 months of military training (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,283,134 females age 16-49: 6,098,599 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,106,730 females age 16-49: 5,008,563 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 165,738 female: 154,123 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Taiwan Disputes - international: involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting Illicit drugs: regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Serbia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Serbia Introduction Serbia Background: The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Various paramilitary bands resisted Nazi Germany's occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945, but fought each other and ethnic opponents as much as the invaders. The military and political movement headed by Josip TITO (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when German and Croatian separatist forces were defeated in 1945. Although Communist, TITO's new government and his successors (he died in 1980) managed to steer their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Serbian Republic and his ultranationalist calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions led to Yugoslavia being ousted from the UN in 1992, but Serbia continued its - ultimately unsuccessful - campaign until signing the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. MILOSEVIC kept tight control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo. The MILOSEVIC government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999 and to the eventual withdrawal of Serbian military and police forces from Kosovo in June 1999. UNSC Resolution 1244 in June 1999 authorized the stationing of a NATO-led force (KFOR) in Kosovo to provide a safe and secure environment for the region's ethnic communities, created a UN interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to foster self-governing institutions, and reserved the issue of Kosovo's final status for an unspecified date in the future. In 2001, UNMIK promulgated a constitutional framework that allowed Kosovo to establish institutions of self-government and led to Kosovo's first parliamentary election. FRY elections in September 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav KOSTUNICA as president. A broad coalition of democratic reformist parties known as DOS (the Democratic Opposition of Serbia) was subsequently elected to parliament in December 2000 and took control of the government. DOS arrested MILOSEVIC in 2001 and allowed for him to be tried in The Hague for crimes against humanity. (MILOSEVIC died in March 2006 before the completion of his trial.) In 2001, the country's suspension from the UN was lifted. In 2003, the FRY became Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics with a federal level parliament. Widespread violence predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 caused the international community to open negotiations on the future status of Kosovo in January 2006. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right to secede from the federation and - following a successful referendum - it declared itself an independent nation on 3 June 2006. Two days later, Serbia declared that it was the successor state to the union of Serbia and Montenegro. A new Serbian constitution was approved in October 2006 and adopted the following month. After 15 months of inconclusive negotiations mediated by the UN and four months of further inconclusive negotiations mediated by the US, EU, and Russia, on 17 February 2008, the UNMIK-administered province of Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia. Geography Serbia Location: Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 21 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 77,474 sq km land: 77,474 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 2,026 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Kosovo 352 km, Macedonia 62 km, Montenegro 124 km, Romania 476 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns) Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: NA highest point: Midzor 2,169 m Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land Land use: arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 208.5 cu km (note - includes Kosovo) (2003) Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East People Serbia Population: note: all population data includes Kosovo (July 2008 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.4% (male 586,806/female 549,900) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,503,194/female 2,502,807) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 508,606/female 728,026) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41 years male: 39.3 years female: 42.7 years (2008 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and above: 0.7 male(s)/female total populaton: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 72.7 years female: 78.09 years (2008 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (2008 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Serb(s) adjective: Serbian Ethnic groups: Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%, Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%, other 8% (2002 census) Religions: Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic 5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or atheist 2.6% (2002 census) Languages: Serbian 88.3% (official), Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown 0.9% (2002 census) note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.4% male: 98.9% female: 94.1% (2003 census) note: includes Montenegro Education expenditures: NA Government Serbia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Serbia conventional short form: Serbia local long form: Republika Srbija local short form: Srbija former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia Government type: republic Capital: name: Belgrade (Beograd) geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 161 municipalities (opcstine, singular - opcstina) Serbia Proper: Beograd: Barajevo, Cukavica, Grocka, Lazarevac, Mladnovac, Novi Beograd, Obrenovac, Palilula, Rakovica, Savski Venac, Sopot, Stari Grad, Surcin, Vozdovac, Vracar, Zemun, Zrezdara; Borski Okrug: Bor, Kladovo, Majdanpek, Negotin; Branicevski Okrug: Golubac, Kucevo, Malo Crnice, Petrovac, Pozarevac, Veliko Gradiste, Zabari, Zagubica; Jablanicki Okrug: Bojnik, Crna Trava, Lebane, Leskovac, Medvedja, Vlasotince; Kolubarski Okrug: Lajkovac, Ljig, Mionica, Osecina, Ub, Valjevo; Macvanski Okrug: Bogatic, Koceljeva, Krupanj, Ljubovija, Loznica, Mali Zvornik, Sabac, Vladimirci; Moravicki Okrug: Cacak, Gornkji Milanovac, Ivanjica, Lucani; Nisavski Okrug: Aleksinac, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Merosina, Nis, Razanj, Svrljig; Pcinjski Okrug: Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Vladicin Han, Vranje; Pirotski Okrug: Babusnica, Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot; Podunavski Okrug: Smederevo, Smederevskia Palanka, Velika Plana; Pomoravski Okrug: Cuprija, Despotovac, Jagodina, Paracin, Rckovac, Svilajnac; Rasinski Okrug: Aleksandrovac, Brus, Cicevac, Krusevac, Trstenik, Varvarin; Raski Okrug: Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Raska, Tutin, Vrnjacka Banja; Sumadijski Okrug: Arandjelovac, Batocina, Knic, Kragujevac, Lapovo, Raca, Topola; Toplicki Okrug: Blace, Kursumlija, Prokuplje, Zitoradja; Zajecarski Okrug: Boljevac, Knjazevac, Sokobanja, Zalecar; Zlatiborski Okrug: Arilje, Bajina Basta, Cajetina, Kosjeric, Nova Varos, Pozega, Priboj, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Uzice Vojvodina Autonomous Province: Juzno-Backi Okrug: Backi Petrovac, Beocin, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Temerin, Titel, Zabalj; Juzno Banatski Okrug: Alibunar, Bela Crkva, Kovacica, Kovin, Opovo, Pancevo, Plandiste, Vrsac; Severno-Backi Okrug: Backa Topola, Mali Idjos, Subotica; Severno-Banatski Okrug: Ada, Coka, Kanjiza, Kikinda, Novi Knezevac, Senta; Srednje-Banatski Okrug: Nova Crnja, Novi Becej, Secanj, Zitiste, Zrenjanin; Sremski Okrug: Indjija, Irig, Pecinci, Ruma, Sid, Sremska Mitrovica, Stara Pazova; Zapadno-Backi Okrug: Apatin, Kula, Odzaci, Sombor Independence: 5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro) National holiday: National Day, 15 February Constitution: adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mirko CVETKOVIC (since 7 July 2008) cabinet: Federal Ministries act as cabinet elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister elected by the Assembly election results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second round of voting; Boris TADIC received 51.2% of the vote and Tomislav NIKOLIC 48.8% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (250 seats; deputies elected according to party lists to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 11 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - For a European Serbia coalition 38.4%, SRS 29.5%, DSS-NS 11.6%, SPS-led coalition 7.6%, LPD 5.2%, other 7.7%; seats by party - For a European Serbia coalition 102, SRS 77, DSS-NS 30, SNS 21, SPS-led coalition 20, LDP 13, other 7; note - the seat allocation for the SNS and SRS is uncertain because of an ongoing dispute with the SRS Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (to become court of cassation under new constitution), appellate courts, district courts, municipal courts Political parties and leaders: Coalition of Albanians of the Presevo Valley or KAPD [Riza HALIMI]; Coalition for Sandzak or KZS [Sulejman UGLJANIN]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Ragmi MUSTAFA]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC]; Democratic Union of the Valley or BDL [Skender DESTANI]; For a European Serbia [Boris TADIC]; Force of Serbia Movement or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC]; G17 Plus [Mladjan DINKIC]; League of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan PASTOR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Movement for Democratic Progress or LPD [Jonuz MUSLIU]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Party of Democratic Action or PVD [Riza HALIMI]; People's Party or NS [Maja GOJKOVIC]; Roma Party or RP [Srdjan SAJN]; Serbian Progressive Party or SNS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ (currently on trial at The Hague), with Dragan TODOROVIC as acting leader]; Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC]; Union of Roma of Serbia or URS [Rajko DJURIC] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD (suspended), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ivan VUJACIC; note - will leave office in March chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron MUNTER embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344 FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230 Flag description: three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side Economy Serbia Economy - overview: MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors' Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic restructuring. In November 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reschedule the country's $4.5 billion public debt and wrote off 66% of the debt. In July 2004, the London Club of private creditors forgave $1.7 billion of debt just over half the total owed. Belgrade has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, including telecommunications and small and medium size firms. It has made halting progress towards EU membership despite signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels in May 2008. Serbia is also pursuing membership in the World Trade Organization. Unemployment and the large current account deficit remain ongoing political and economic problems. GDP (purchasing power parity): $83.14 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $52.18 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12.3% industry: 24.2% services: 63.5% (2007 est.) Labor force: 2.961 million (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 30% industry: 46% services: 24% (2002) Unemployment rate: 18.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 6.5% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 20.1% of GDP (2007 est.) Budget: revenues: $9.6 billion expenditures: $9.8 billion (2007 est.) Public debt: 37% of GDP (2007 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Central bank discount rate: 9.57% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.632 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $12.19 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $13.44 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $23.93 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: wheat, maize, sugar beets, sunflower, raspberries, beef, pork, milk Industries: sugar, agricultural machinery, electrical and communication equipment, paper and pulp, lead, transportation equipment Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2007 est.) Electricity - production: 33.87 billion kWh (2004) Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 12.05 billion kWh (2004 est.) Electricity - imports: 11.23 billion kWh (2004) Oil - production: 11,410 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 85,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) Oil - exports: NA bbl/day Oil - imports: NA bbl/day Oil - proved reserves: 77.5 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 650 million cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.55 billion cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.1 billion cu m (2004 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$6.889 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $8.824 billion (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment Imports: $18.35 billion (2007 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $2 billion pledged in 2001 to Serbia and Montenegro (disbursements to follow over several years; some aid pledged by EU and US has been placed on hold because of lack of cooperation by Serbia in handing over General Ratko MLADIC to the criminal court in The Hague) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $14.22 billion (2007 est.) Debt - external: $26.24 billion (includes debt for Montenegro and Kosovo) (2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.95 billion (2006 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Serbian dinar (RSD) Exchange rates: Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 54.5 (2007), 59.98 (2006) Communications Serbia Telephones - main lines in use: 2.993 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 8.453 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network has been slow as a result of damage stemming from the 1999 war and transition to a competitive market-based system; network was 90% digitalized in 2006 domestic: teledensity remains below the average for neighboring states; GSM wireless service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications service limited to urban centers international: country code - 381 Radio broadcast stations: 153 (station types NA) (2001) Internet country code: .rs Internet hosts: NA Internet users: 1.5 million (2007) Transportation Serbia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 12 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 1,921 km; oil 323 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,379 km standard gauge: 3,379 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 1,254 km) (2006) Roadways: total: 36,875 km paved: 31,392 km unpaved: 5,483 km note: roadways in Kosovo listed separately (2006) Waterways: 587 km (primarily on Danube and Sava rivers) (2008) Military Serbia Military branches: Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces Command (includes Riverine Component, consisting of a river flotilla on the Danube), Joint Operations Command, Air and Air Defense Forces Command (2008) Military service age and obligation: 19-35 years of age for compulsory military service; under a state of war or impending war, conscription can begin at age 16; conscription is to be abolished in 2010; 9-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men and 50 for women (2007) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,415,007 females age 16-49: 1,379,541 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 44,601 female: 41,845 (2009 est.) Transnational Issues Serbia Disputes - international: Serbia with several other states protest the U.S. and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 71,111 (Croatia); 27,414 (Bosnia and Herzegovina); 206,000 (Kosovo), note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 (2007) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Panama a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Panama Introduction Panama Background: Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With 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. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. 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 transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15. Geography Panama Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 78,200 sq km land: 75,990 sq km water: 2,210 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Coastline: 2,490 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower Land use: arable land: 7.26% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 90.79% (2005) Irrigated land: 430 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 148 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.82 cu km/yr (67%/5%/28%) per capita: 254 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean People Panama Population: 3,360,474 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.3% (male 501,950/female 481,750) 15-64 years: 63.9% (male 1,085,435/female 1,061,530) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 106,934/female 122,875) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27 years male: 26.6 years female: 27.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.503% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 20.68 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 4.71 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.25 years male: 74.47 years female: 80.16 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 20,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% Languages: Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.9% male: 92.5% female: 91.2% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2004) Government Panama Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Panama geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Comarca Kuna Yala, Comarca Ngobe-Bugle, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), and Veraguas Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903) Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediate reelection; president and vice presidents must sit out two additional terms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held on 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9% note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party), PP (Popular Party) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in 2009, the number of seats will change to 71 elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 41, PA 17, PS 9, MOLIRENA 4, CD 3, PLN 3, PP 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 formula Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal Political parties and leaders: Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS Espino]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Sergio GONZALEZ-Ruiz]; Panamenista Party or PA [Juan Carlos VARELA] (formerly the Arnulfista Party); Patriotic Union Party or PU (combination of the Liberal National Party or PLN and the Solidarity Party or PS)[Guillermo "Billy" FORD and Anibal GALINDO]; Popular Party or PP [Rene ORILLAC] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) Political pressure groups and leaders: Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP International organization participation: BCIE, CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Arias chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Honolulu, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara J. STEPHENSON embassy: Edificio 783, Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas Panama, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000 FAX: [507] 317-5568 Flag description: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center Economy Panama Economy - overview: Panama's dollarized economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for 80% of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. Economic growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 2014 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 25% of current GDP. The expansion project will more than double the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate ships that are now too large to transverse the transoceanic crossway, and should help to reduce the high unemployment rate. Strong economic performance has reduced the national poverty level to 29% in 2008; however, Panama has the second most unequal income distribution in Latin America. The government has implemented tax reforms, as well as social security reforms, and backs regional trade agreements and development of tourism. Not a CAFTA signatory, Panama in December 2006 independently negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, which, when implemented, will help promote the country's economic growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $39.33 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $23.42 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2% industry: 16.1% services: 77.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.392 million note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 15% industry: 18% services: 67% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 28.6% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 43% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 24.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $6.09 billion expenditures: $6 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 46.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.6% (2008 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $3.054 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $14.26 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $17.4 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $6.219 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp Industries: construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling Industrial production growth rate: 6.6% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 5.805 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 4.768 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 124.9 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.74 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 92,790 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 4,447 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 88,790 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$2.536 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $10.37 billion f.o.b.; note - includes the Colon Free Zone (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing Exports - partners: US 35.6%, Netherlands 10.2%, China 6%, Sweden 5.5%, UK 5.4%, Costa Rica 5.1%, Spain 5% (2007) Imports: $15.18 billion f.o.b. note: includes the Colon Free Zone (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals Imports - partners: US 32.8%, Netherlands Antilles 7.6%, China 5.6%, Japan 5.1%, Costa Rica 5.1%, South Korea 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $19.54 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.655 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $10.89 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD) Currency code: PAB; USD Exchange rates: balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) note: the US dollar is the legal currency Communications Panama Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.392 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is approaching 90 per 100 persons international: country code - 507; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), the MAYA-1, and PAN-AM submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 38 (including repeaters) (1998) Televisions: Internet country code: .pa Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Panama Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 54 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 29 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 62 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 50 (2007) Heliports: Railways: total: 355 km standard gauge: 77 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 278 km 0.914-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 11,978 km paved: 4,300 km unpaved: 7,343 km (2002) Waterways: 800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 6,323 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2,143, cargo 1,208, carrier 13, chemical tanker 565, combination ore/oil 6, container 790, liquefied gas 189, passenger 44, passenger/cargo 71, petroleum tanker 557, refrigerated cargo 265, roll on/roll off 128, specialized tanker 29, vehicle carrier 313 foreign-owned: 5,394 (Albania 2, Argentina 8, Australia 4, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 9, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 2, British Virgin Islands 1, Bulgaria 3, Burma 1, Canada 18, Chile 12, China 532, Colombia 4, Croatia 3, Cuba 10, Cyprus 19, Denmark 40, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 4, Egypt 17, Estonia 5, Finland 2, France 5, Gabon 1, Germany 44, Gibraltar 1, Greece 510, Hong Kong 130, India 27, Indonesia 31, Iran 7, Israel 3, Italy 28, Japan 2,335, Jordan 13, North Korea 1, South Korea 303, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Lebanon 5, Lithuania 7, Malaysia 12, Maldives 1, Malta 3, Mexico 2, Monaco 16, Netherlands 14, Nigeria 10, Norway 89, Oman 2, Pakistan 9, Peru 16, Philippines 7, Poland 11, Portugal 9, Qatar 1, Romania 7, Russia 18, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 100, Spain 50, Sri Lanka 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 25, Syria 32, Taiwan 320, Thailand 10, Tunisia 1, Turkey 94, Turks and Caicos Islands 1, Ukraine 10, UAE 109, UK 59, US 126, Venezuela 10, Vietnam 30, Yemen 6) registered in other countries: 3 (Marshall Islands 1, Sierra Leone 1, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Balboa, Colon, Cristobal Military Panama Military branches: no regular military forces; Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian National Police (PNP), National Maritime Service (NMS), and National Air Service (NAS) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 851,044 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 705,160 females age 16-49: 710,521 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 31,089 female: 29,939 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2006) 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" Transnational Issues Panama Disputes - international: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama Trafficking in persons: current situation: Panama is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are Panamanian women and children trafficked within the country into the sex trade; rural children in Panama may be trafficked internally to urban areas for labor exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Panama is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly with respect to prosecuting, convicting, and sentencing human traffickers for their crimes, and for failing to provide adequate victim assistance (2008) Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Iraq a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Iraq Introduction Iraq Background: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US forces remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate until 31 December 2008 and under a bilateral Security Agreement thereafter, helping to provide security and to support the freely elected government. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) in December 2005. After the election, Ibrahim al-JAAFARI was selected as prime minister; he was replaced by Nuri al-MALIKI in May 2006. The CoR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. On 31 January 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all provinces except for the three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and at-Ta'mim (Kirkuk) province. Geography Iraq Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 44 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 437,072 sq km land: 432,162 sq km water: 4,910 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho Land boundaries: total: 3,650 km border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km Coastline: 58 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: not specified Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is neither Gundah Zhur 3,607 m nor Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Land use: arable land: 13.12% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 86.27% (2005) Irrigated land: 35,250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 96.4 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 42.7 cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%) per capita: 1,482 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms, floods Environment - current issues: government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf People Iraq Population: 28,945,657 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.8% (male 5,709,688/female 5,531,359) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 8,529,956/female 8,310,164) 65 years and over: 3% (male 408,266/female 456,224) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.4 years male: 20.3 years female: 20.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.507% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 30.77 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.14 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 43.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 49.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.94 years male: 68.6 years female: 71.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.86 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% Religions: Muslim 97% (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.1% male: 84.1% female: 64.2% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 8 years (2005) Education expenditures: NA Government Iraq Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iraq conventional short form: Iraq local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al-Iraqiyah local short form: Al Iraq Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Baghdad geographic coordinates: 33 20 N, 44 23 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) and 1 region*; Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Kurdistan Regional Government*, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit Independence: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi-controlled Government National holiday: Republic Day, July 14 (1958); note - the Government of Iraq has yet to declare an official national holiday but still observes Republic Day Constitution: ratified on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum ) Legal system: based on European civil and Islamic law under the framework outlined in the Iraqi Constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Vice Presidents Adil ABD AL-MAHDI and Tariq al-HASHIMI (since 22 April 2006); note - the president and vice presidents comprise the Presidency Council) head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Barham SALIH (since 20 May 2006)and Rafi al-ISSAWI (since 19 July 2008) cabinet: 36 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI and Deputy Prime Ministers Barham SALIH and Rafi al-ISSAWI elections: held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives Legislative branch: Council of Representatives (consisting of 275 members elected by a closed-list, proportional representation system) elections: last held 15 December 2005 to elect a 275-member Council of Representatives (next to be held December 2009); the Council of Representatives elected the Presidency Council and approved the prime minister and two deputy prime ministers election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Unified Iraqi Alliance 41%, Kurdistan Alliance 22%, Tawafuq Coalition 15%, Iraqi National List 8%, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 4%, other 10%; number of seats by party (as of November 2007) - Unified Iraqi Alliance (including the Sadrist bloc with 30 and Fadilah with 15) 130, Kurdistan Alliance 53, Tawafuq Front 44, Iraqi National List 25, Fadilah 15, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue 11, other 12 Judicial branch: the Iraq Constitution calls for the federal judicial power to be comprised of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission and other federal courts that are regulated in accordance with the law Political parties and leaders: Assyrian Democratic Movement [Yunadim KANNA]; Badr Organization [Hadi al-AMIRI]; Constitutional Monarchy Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali Bin al-HUSAYN]; Da'wa al-Islamiya Party [Nuri al-MALIKI]; General Conference of Iraqi People [Adnan al-DULAYMI]; Independent Iraqi Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB]; Iraqi Communist Party [Hamid MAJID]; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Salih al-MUTLAQ]; Iraqi Hizballah [Karim Mahmud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi Independent Democrats or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Tariq al-HASHIMI]; Iraqi National Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Iraqi National Council for Dialogue or INCD [Khalaf Ulayan al-Khalifawi al-DULAYMI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad al-KUBAYSI]; Islamic Action Organization or IAO [Ayatollah Muhammad al-MUDARRISI]; Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq or ISCI [Abd al-Aziz al-HAKIM]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Muhammad Ali al-YAQUBI]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI]; Kurdistan Islamic Union [Salah ad-Din Muhammad BAHA al-DIN]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]; Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-SADR] (not an organized political party, but it fields independent candidates affiliated with Muqtada al-SADR); Sahawa al-Iraq [Ahmad al-RISHAWI] note: the Kurdistan Alliance, Iraqi National List, Tawafuq Front, Iraqi Front for National Dialogue, and Unified Iraqi Alliance were only electoral slates consisting of the representatives from the various Iraqi political parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Sunni militias; Shia militias, some associated with political parties International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD (suspended), AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samir Shakir al-SUMAYDI chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 742-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 333-1129 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER embassy: Baghdad mailing address: APO AE 09316 telephone: 1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635; note - Consular Section FAX: NA Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors; Council of Representatives approved this flag as a compromise temporary replacement for Ba'athist Saddam-era flag Economy Iraq Economy - overview: Decreasing insurgent attacks and an improving security environment in many parts of the country are helping to spur economic activity. Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided over 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Oil exports are around levels seen before Operation Iraqi Freedom. Total government revenues have benefited from high oil prices in recent years; however, revenues have declined significantly since the oil price drop in fall 2008. Iraq is making some progress in building the institutions needed to implement economic policy. In March 2009 Iraq will conclude a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF that details economic reforms. The SBA has allowed an 80% reduction of the debt owed to Paris Club creditor nations. The International Compact with Iraq was established in May 2007 to integrate Iraq into the regional and global economy, and the Iraqi government is seeking to pass laws to strengthen its economy. This legislation includes a hydrocarbon law to establish a modern legal framework to allow Iraq to develop its resources and a revenue sharing law to equitably divide oil revenues within the nation, although both are still under contentious political negotiation. Some foreign entities have expressed interest in reinvigorating Iraq's industrial sector. The government of Iraq is pursueing a strategy to gain foreign participation in joint ventures with State-owned enterprises. Provincial Councils are also using their own budgets to promote and facilitate investment at the local level. The Central Bank has been successful in controlling inflation through appreciation of the dinar against the US dollar. However, Iraq's challenge will be to use macroeconomic gains to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis. Reducing corruption and implementing structural reforms, such as bank restructuring and developing the private sector, will be key to Iraq's economic success. GDP (purchasing power parity): $113.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $93.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,000 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 68% services: 27% (2006 est.) Labor force: 7.74 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 18.2% to 30% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $42.4 billion expenditures: $49.9 billion (FY08 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 15% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.74% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $18.81 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.67 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry Industries: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing Industrial production growth rate: 10.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 36.92 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - consumption: 39.88 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 2.95 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.4% hydro: 1.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 2.42 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 295,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 1.83 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - imports: NA bbl/day Oil - proved reserves: 115 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 15.66 billion cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 9.454 billion cu m note: 1.48 billion cu m were flared (2008 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 3.17 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $22.6 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $66.1 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 84%, crude materials excluding fuels 8%, food and live animals 5% Exports - partners: US 36.8%, Italy 12.6%, South Korea 9.5%, Taiwan 6.3%, Spain 5.2%, Canada 4.7%, France 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2007) Imports: $43.5 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: food, medicine, manufactures Imports - partners: Syria 30.5%, Turkey 19.8%, US 11.1%, Jordan 5%, China 4.8% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $21.65 billion (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $46.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $40.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): New Iraqi dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004 Currency code: NID, IQD prior to 22 January 2004 Exchange rates: New Iraqi dinars (NID) per US dollar - 1,176 (2008), 1,255 (2007), 1,466 (2006), 1,475 (2005), 1,890 (second half, 2003) Communications Iraq Telephones - main lines in use: 1.547 million (2005) Telephones - mobile cellular: 14.021 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly with an estimated 14 million current users in 2007 domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving country-wide connectivity; wireless local loop licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; planned international fiber-optic connections to Iran (terrestrial) with a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable (2007) Radio broadcast stations: Radios: 4.85 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 1.75 million (1997) Internet country code: .iq Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Iraq Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 76 over 3,047 m: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 9 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 10 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 2,501 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,637 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,272 km standard gauge: 2,272 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 44,900 km paved: 37,851 km unpaved: 7,049 km (2002) Waterways: 5,279 km note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are principal waterways (2008) Merchant marine: total: 14 by type: cargo 10, petroleum tanker 4 (2008) Ports and terminals: Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr Military Iraq Military branches: Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Iraqi Special Operations Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air Corps) (2005) Military service age and obligation: 18-49 years of age for voluntary military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,086,200 females age 16-49: 6,808,954 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 6,203,425 females age 16-49: 6,065,009 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 313,500 female: 304,923 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 8.6% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Iraq Disputes - international: coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring internal and cross-border security; approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan, and lesser numbers to Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in Iraq Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 10,000-15,000 (Palestinian Territories); 11,773 (Iran); 16,832 (Turkey) IDPs: 2.4 million (ongoing US-led war and ethno-sectarian violence) (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- China a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   China Introduction China Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. Geography China Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 9,596,960 sq km land: 9,326,410 sq km water: 270,550 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 22,117 km border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km Coastline: 14,500 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest) Land use: arable land: 14.86% permanent crops: 1.27% other: 83.87% (2005) Irrigated land: 545,960 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2,829.6 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 549.76 cu km/yr (7%/26%/68%) per capita: 415 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence Environment - current issues: air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak People China Population: 1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 140,877,745/female 124,290,090) 15-64 years: 72.1% (male 495,724,889/female 469,182,087) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 51,774,115/female 56,764,042) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 34.1 years male: 33.5 years female: 34.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.655% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 13.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.03 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 20.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.87 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.47 years male: 71.61 years female: 75.52 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 700,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 39,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census) Religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.9% male: 95.1% female: 86.5% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (1999) Government China Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhongguo abbreviation: PRC Government type: Communist state Capital: name: Beijing geographic coordinates: 39 55 N, 116 23 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural) provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang Uygur, Xizang (Tibet) municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic of China established) National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) Constitution: most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 Legal system: based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003); Vice President XI Jinping (since 15 March 2008) head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Executive Vice Premier LI Keqiang (17 March 2008), Vice Premier HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premier ZHANG Deijiang (since 17 March 2008), and Vice Premier WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2008) cabinet: State Council appointed by National People's Congress (NPC) elections: president and vice president elected by National People's Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 15-17 March 2008 (next to be held in mid-March 2013); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People's Congress election results: HU Jintao elected president by National People's Congress with a total of 2,963 votes; XI Jinping elected vice president with a total of 2,919 votes Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,987 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and People's Liberation Army to serve five-year terms) elections: last held December 2007-February 2008; date of next election - late 2012 to early 2013 election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - 2,987 Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local People's Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and basic courts); Special People's Courts (primarily military, maritime, railway transportation, and forestry courts) Political parties and leaders: Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP Political pressure groups and leaders: the China Democracy Party; the Falungong spiritual movement note: no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the government has identified the organizations listed above as subversive groups International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional members), APEC, APT, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador ZHOU Wenzhong chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr. embassy: 55 An Jia Lou Lu, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000 FAX: [86] (10) 8531-3300 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner Economy China Economy - overview: China's economy during the past 30 years has changed from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or piecemeal fashion, including the sale of minority shares in four of China's largest state banks to foreign investors and refinements in foreign exchange and bond markets in 2005. After keeping its currency tightly linked to the US dollar for years, China in July 2005 revalued its currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. Cumulative appreciation of the renminbi against the US dollar since the end of the dollar peg was more than 20% by late 2008. The restructuring of the economy and resulting efficiency gains have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, China in 2008 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still lower middle-income. Annual inflows of foreign direct investment in 2007 rose to nearly $84 billion. By the end of 2007, nearly 7,000 domestic Chinese enterprises had made an aggregate $118 billion in direct investments in 173 countries and regions around the world. The Chinese government faces numerous economic development challenges, including: (a) sustaining adequate job growth for tens of millions of migrants, new entrants to the work force, and workers laid off from state-owned enterprises; (b) reducing corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) containing environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's rapid transformation. Economic development has been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior, and approximately 200 million rural laborers and their dependents have relocated to urban areas to find work. One demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the north - is another long-term problem. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. In 2007 China intensified government efforts to improve environmental conditions, tying the evaluation of local officials to environmental targets, publishing a national climate change policy, and establishing a high level leading group on climate change, headed by Premier WEN Jiabao. The Chinese government seeks to add energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil. In late 2008, as China commemorated the 30th anniversary of its historic economic reforms, the global economic downturn began to slow foreign demand for Chinese exports for the first time in several years. The government vowed to continue reforming the economy and emphasized the need to increase domestic consumption in order to make China less dependent on foreign exports for GDP growth in the future. GDP (purchasing power parity): $7.8 trillion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.222 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.6% industry: 49.2% services: 40.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 807.7 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43% industry: 25% services: 32% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% officially in urban areas, but including migrants may be as high as 9%; substantial unemployment and underemployment in rural areas (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: note: 21.5 million rural population live below the official "absolute poverty" line (approximately $90 per year); and an additional 35.5 million rural population above that but below the official "low income" line (approximately $125 per year) (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 34.9% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 40.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $868.6 billion expenditures: $850.5 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 15.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.06% (17 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.58% (17 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.3 trillion (31 October 2008) Stock of quasi money: $4.331 trillion (31 October 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $5.316 trillion (31 October 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $6.226 trillion (31 December 2007 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples, cotton, oilseed; pork; fish Industries: mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites Industrial production growth rate: 10.7% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 3.256 trillion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 3.271 trillion kWh (2007) Electricity - exports: 14.56 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 4.251 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 80.2% hydro: 18.5% nuclear: 1.2% other: 0.1% (2001) Oil - production: 3.725 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 7.88 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 399,000 bbl/day (2007) Oil - imports: 4.21 million bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: 16 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 69.27 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 70.51 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 5.36 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 3.871 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.265 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $368.2 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $1.465 trillion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment, apparel, textile, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment Exports - partners: US 19.1%, Hong Kong 15.1%, Japan 8.4%, South Korea 4.6%, Germany 4% (2007) Imports: $1.156 trillion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals Imports - partners: Japan 14%, South Korea 10.9%, Taiwan 10.5%, US 7.3%, Germany 4.7% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.641 billion (FY07) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.033 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $420.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $758.9 billion (2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $139.3 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Renminbi (RMB); note - also referred to by the unit yuan (CNY) Currency code: CNY Exchange rates: Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 6.9385 (2008 est.), 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006), 8.1943 (2005), 8.2768 (2004) Communications China Telephones - main lines in use: 365.4 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 547.286 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and many towns; China continues to develop its telecommunications infrastructure, and is partnering with foreign providers to expand its global reach; China in the summer of 2008 began a major restructuring of its telecommunications industry, resulting in the consolidation of its six telecom service operators to three, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, each providing both fixed-line and mobile services domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing rapidly; the number of Internet users exceeded 250 million by summer 2008; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: country code - 86; a number of submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean; 1 Intersputnik - Indian Ocean region; and 1 Inmarsat - Pacific and Indian Ocean regions) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998) Radios: 417 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations, and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997) Televisions: 400 million (1997) Internet country code: .cn Internet hosts: 14.306 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 253 million (2008) Transportation China Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 403 over 3,047 m: 58 2,438 to 3,047 m: 128 1,524 to 2,437 m: 130 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 67 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 64 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 26 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 28,132 km; oil 20,204 km; refined products 9,746 km (2008) Railways: total: 75,438 km standard gauge: 75,438 km 1.435-m gauge (20,151 km electrified) (2005) Roadways: total: 1,930,544 km paved: 1,575,571 km (includes 41,005 km of expressways) unpaved: 354,973 km (2005) Waterways: 110,000 km navigable (2008) Merchant marine: total: 1,826 by type: barge carrier 4, bulk carrier 451, cargo 689, carrier 2, chemical tanker 69, combination ore/oil 1, container 162, liquefied gas 44, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 83, petroleum tanker 244, refrigerated cargo 33, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 20 (Ecuador 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 12, Indonesia 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, Norway 1) registered in other countries: 1,441 (Bahamas 10, Bangladesh 1, Belize 71, Bermuda 10, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 193, Cyprus 10, France 5, Georgia 10, Germany 2, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 324, India 1, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 15, South Korea 1, Liberia 11, Malta 12, Marshall Islands 7, Mongolia 1, Norway 36, Panama 532, Philippines 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 94, Sierra Leone 15, Singapore 14, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 16, unknown 39) (2008) Ports and terminals: Dalian, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin Military China Military branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes airborne forces), and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (PAP); PLA Reserve Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 375,009,345 females age 16-49: 354,314,328 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 314,459,083 females age 16-49: 296,763,134 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 10,621,373 female: 9,533,880 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues China Disputes - international: continuing talks and confidence-building measures work toward reducing tensions over Kashmir that nonetheless remains militarized with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; China and India continue their security and foreign policy dialogue started in 2005 related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, and other matters; China claims most of India's Arunachal Pradesh to the base of the Himalayas; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes due to cartographic discrepancies; Chinese maps show an international boundary symbol off the coasts of the littoral states of the South China Seas, where China has interrupted Vietnamese hydrocarbon exploration; China asserts sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" eased tensions in the Spratly's but is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Vietnam and China continue to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly's and in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; China and Taiwan continue to reject both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared equidistance line in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation; certain islands in the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in dispute with North Korea; North Korea and China seek to stem illegal migration to China by North Koreans, fleeing privations and oppression, by building a fence along portions of the border and imprisoning North Koreans deported by China; China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with their 2004 Agreement; China and Tajikistan have begun demarcating the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, while the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements in the Gulf of Tonkin, ratified in June 2004, have been implemented; citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China has reconsidered construction of 13 dams on the Salween River, but energy-starved Burma, with backing from Thailand, remains intent on building five hydro-electric dams downstream despite regional and international protests; Chinese and Hong Kong authorities met in March 2008 to resolve ownership and use of lands recovered in Shenzhen River channelization, including 96-hectare Lok Ma Chau Loop; Hong Kong developing plans to reduce 2,000 out of 2,800 hectares of its restricted Closed Area by 2010 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 300,897 (Vietnam); estimated 30,000-50,000 (North Korea) IDPs: 90,000 (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: China is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor; the majority of trafficking in China occurs within the country's borders, but there is also considerable international trafficking of Chinese citizens to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America; Chinese women are lured abroad through false promises of legitimate employment, only to be forced into commercial sexual exploitation, largely in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan; women and children are trafficked to China from Mongolia, Burma, North Korea, Russia, and Vietnam for forced labor, marriage, and prostitution; some North Korean women and children seeking to leave their country voluntarily cross the border into China and are then sold into prostitution, marriage, or forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - China is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the fourth consecutive year for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of punishment of trafficking crimes and the protection of Chinese and foreign victims of trafficking; victims are sometimes punished for unlawful acts that were committed as a direct result of their being trafficked, such as violations of prostitution or immigration/emigration controls; the Chinese Government continued to treat North Korean victims of trafficking solely as economic migrants, routinely deporting them back to horrendous conditions in North Korea; additional challenges facing the Chinese Government include the enormous size of its trafficking problem and the significant level of corruption and complicity in trafficking by some local government officials (2008) Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic consumption of synthetic drugs, and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia; source country for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Liberia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Liberia Introduction Liberia Background: Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendents of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE himself was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) maintains a strong presence throughout the country, but the security situation is still fragile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country will take many years. Geography Liberia Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Geographic coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 111,370 sq km land: 96,320 sq km water: 15,050 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3.43% permanent crops: 1.98% other: 94.59% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 232 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.11 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%) per capita: 34 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) Environment - current issues: tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture People Liberia Population: 3,441,790 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.1% (male 760,989/female 758,554) 15-64 years: 53% (male 904,770/female 920,704) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 47,013/female 49,760) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 17.9 years female: 18.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.665% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 42.92 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 21.45 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 5.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 138.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 153.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 122.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.84 years male: 40.71 years female: 43 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.7% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 35,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,300 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever animal contact disease: rabies (2008) Nationality: noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Ethnic groups: indigenous African 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), 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) Religions: Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 40% Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.5% male: 73.3% female: 41.6% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 8 years (2000) Education expenditures: NA Government Liberia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia Government type: republic Capital: name: Monrovia geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe Independence: 26 July 1847 National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Constitution: 6 January 1986 Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 November 2005 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF elected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 59.6%, George WEAH 40.4% Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; note - number of seats changed in 11 October 2005 elections; 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) elections: Senate - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in 2011); House of Representatives - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - COTOL 7, NPP 4, CDC 3, LP 3, UP 3, APD 3, other 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDC 15, LP 9, COTOL 8, UP 8, APD 5, NPP 4, other 15 note: junior senators - those who received the second most votes in each county in the 11 October 2005 election - will only serve a six-year first term because the Liberian constitution mandates staggered Senate elections to ensure continuity of government; all senators will be eligible for nine-year terms thereafter Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Togba-na TIPOTEH]; Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia or COTOL [H. Varney SHERMAN]; Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH]; Liberty Party or LP [Charles BRUMSKINE]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Roland MASSAQUOI]; Unity Party or UP [Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: demobilized former military officers International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Milton Nathaniel BARNES chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Linda THOMAS-GREENFIELD embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 98, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [231] 7-705-4826 FAX: [231] 7-701-0370 Flag description: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag Economy Liberia Economy - overview: Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, some have returned. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government. The reconstruction of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy will largely depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.741 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $926 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 76.9% industry: 5.4% services: 17.7% (2002 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 8% services: 22% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 85% (2003 est.) Population below poverty line: 80% (2000 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.2% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15.05% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $145.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $49.89 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.157 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber Industries: rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 320 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 297.6 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,687 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 23 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 3,593 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$224 million (2007) Exports: $1.197 billion f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee Exports - partners: Malaysia 27.5%, Poland 18.5%, Germany 11.5%, US 10.5%, Spain 8.2%, Norway 5.5% (2007) Imports: $7.143 billion f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs Imports - partners: South Korea 31.4%, Singapore 22.1%, Japan 14.9%, China 10.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $236.2 million (2005) Debt - external: $3.2 billion (2005 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Liberian dollar (LRD) Currency code: LRD Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 59.43 (2006), 53.098 (2005), 54.906 (2004), 59.379 (2003) Communications Liberia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: the limited services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia; coverage extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators domestic: fixed line service stagnant and extremely limited; mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity approaching 20 per 100 persons international: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2007) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2007) Televisions: Internet country code: .lr Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Liberia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 38 (2007) Railways: total: 490 km standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge note: sections of railway are inoperable because of damage suffered during the civil war (2008) Roadways: total: 10,600 km paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 2,204 by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 390, cargo 107, chemical tanker 241, combination ore/oil 7, container 750, liquefied gas 84, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 460, refrigerated cargo 103, roll on/roll off 7, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 36 foreign-owned: 2,109 (Argentina 3, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Canada 7, China 11, Croatia 2, Cyprus 63, Denmark 12, Estonia 1, France 5, Germany 849, Gibraltar 5, Greece 358, Hong Kong 44, India 2, Indonesia 2, Isle of Man 5, Israel 23, Italy 41, Japan 116, South Korea 3, Latvia 21, Lebanon 2, Mexico 2, Monaco 8, Netherlands 6, Nigeria 2, Norway 40, Poland 13, Qatar 4, Romania 2, Russia 94, Saudi Arabia 27, Singapore 32, Slovenia 3, Sweden 10, Switzerland 13, Taiwan 91, Turkey 7, Ukraine 25, UAE 23, UK 20, US 98, Uruguay 3, Vietnam 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Buchanan, Monrovia Military Liberia Military branches: Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 729,813 females age 16-49: 741,223 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 387,417 females age 16-49: 382,334 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 34,059 female: 33,281 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Liberia Disputes - international: although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) peacekeepers, as of January 2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,600 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 13,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in November 2004) (2007) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Uruguay a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Uruguay Introduction Uruguay Background: Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. Geography Uruguay Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 176,220 sq km land: 173,620 sq km water: 2,600 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the state of Washington Land boundaries: total: 1,648 km border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km Coastline: 660 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries Land use: arable land: 7.77% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 91.99% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,100 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 139 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%) per capita: 910 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that 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 from weather fronts Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising People Uruguay Population: 3,494,382 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 397,942/female 385,253) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 1,115,963/female 1,129,478) 65 years and over: 13.3% (male 187,176/female 278,570) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.4 years male: 32 years female: 34.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.466% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 14.17 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.35 years male: 73.1 years female: 79.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Ethnic groups: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent) Religions: Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006) Languages: Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 97.6% female: 98.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2006) Government Uruguay Country name: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province Government type: constitutional republic Capital: name: Montevideo geographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1825) Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective 15 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 1997 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009) election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%; other 4.1% Legislative branch: 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; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - EP-FA 16, Blanco 11, Colorado Party 3; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - EP-FA 52, Blanco 36, Colorado Party 10, Independent Party 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad governing coalition that includes Movement of the Popular Participation or MPP [Jose MUJICA], New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ], the Communist Party [Marina ARISMENDI], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]); Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization); Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization); PIT/CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions - umbrella labor organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); Uruguayan Construction League; Uruguayan Network of Political Women other: Catholic Church; students International organization participation: CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, DC consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Frank E. BAXTER embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611 Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy Economy Uruguay Economy - overview: Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. In 2001-02 Argentine citizens made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks after bank deposits in Argentina were frozen, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso, a banking crisis, and a sharp economic contraction. Real GDP fell in four years by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year. The unemployment rate rose, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Financial assistance from the IMF helped stem the damage. Uruguay restructured its external debt in 2003 without asking creditors to accept a reduction on the principal. Economic growth for Uruguay resumed, and averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08. GDP (purchasing power parity): $42.72 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $31.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 8.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,300 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.8% industry: 32.8% services: 57.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.641 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9% industry: 15% services: 76% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 27.4% of households (2006) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 34% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 15.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $8.204 billion expenditures: $8.526 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 57% of GDP (September 2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Central bank discount rate: 10% (February 2009) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7% (February 2009) Stock of money: $2.5 billion (31 November 2008) Stock of quasi money: $7.919 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.8 billion (31 December 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $159 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: rice, wheat, soybeans, barley; livestock, beef; fish; forestry Industries: food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages Industrial production growth rate: 14.1% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 9.2 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 7.03 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - exports: 995.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 788.4 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001) Oil - production: 936 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 33,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 4,410 bbl/day (2007) Oil - imports: 43,670 bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: NA Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 102.8 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 116.9 million cu m (2007) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$1 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $6 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products Exports - partners: Brazil 15.5%, US 9.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Mexico 6.6%, China 6.1%, Germany 4.8% (2007) Imports: $7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, paper, plastics Imports - partners: Brazil 19.1%, Argentina 17.9%, US 9.5%, China 9.1%, Paraguay 7.7%, Nigeria 4.7% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $14.62 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $11.48 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $4.19 billion (2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $156 million (2007) Currency (code): Uruguayan peso (UYU) Currency code: UYU Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.936 (2008 est.), 23.947 (2007), 24.048 (2006), 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004) Communications Uruguay Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.004 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: fully digitalized domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 115 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005) Radios: 1.97 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .uy Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Uruguay Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 29 (2007) Pipelines: gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,073 km standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in partial use (2006) Roadways: total: 77,732 km paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2004) Waterways: 1,600 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 17 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 10 (Argentina 3, Greece 1, Spain 6) registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Montevideo Military Uruguay Military branches: Uruguayan Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito), Navy (Armada Nacional; includes naval air arm, Marines, Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 837,252 females age 16-49: 824,096 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 708,545 females age 16-49: 693,622 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,452 female: 26,479 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Uruguay Disputes - international: in Jan 2007, ICJ provisionally ruled Uruguay may begin construction of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina, while the court examines further whether Argentina has the legal right to stop such construction with potential environmental implications to both countries; uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina Illicit drugs: small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Ghana a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Ghana Introduction Ghana Background: Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. Kufuor is constitutionally barred from running for a third term in upcoming Presidential elections, which are scheduled for December 2008. Geography Ghana Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 239,460 sq km land: 230,940 sq km water: 8,520 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,094 km border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km Coastline: 539 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 17.54% permanent crops: 9.22% other: 73.24% (2005) Irrigated land: 310 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 53.2 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%) per capita: 44 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts Environment - current issues: recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake People Ghana Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.3% (male 4,503,331/female 4,393,104) 15-64 years: 59.1% (male 7,039,696/female 7,042,208) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 393,364/female 460,792) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.7 years male: 20.5 years female: 21 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.882% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 29.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.39 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 51.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.85 years male: 58.98 years female: 60.75 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.68 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.9% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 260,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 21,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian Ethnic groups: Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census) Religions: Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census) Languages: Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other 36.1% (includes English (official)) (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.9% male: 66.4% female: 49.8% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2007) Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2005) Government Ghana Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Accra geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Constitution: approved 28 April 1992 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 December 2008 with a second round held 28 December 2008 (next to be held 7 December 2012) election results: John Evans Atta MILLS elected president in run-off election; percent of vote - John Evans Atta MILLS 50.23%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 49.77% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2008 (next to be held 7 December 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Convention People's Party or CPP [Ladi NYLANDER]; Democratic Freedom Party or DFP [Alhaji Abudu Rahman ISSAKAH]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTEY]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Peter MAC-MANU]; People's National Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU]; United Renaissance Party or URP [Charles WAYO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian Aid (water rights); Committee for Joint Action or CJA (education reform); National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water or CAP (water rights); Oxfam (water rights); Public Citizen (water rights); Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene OKAI] (education reform); Third World Network (education reform) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Kwame BAWUAH-EDUSEI chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM embassy: 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 741-000 FAX: [233] (21) 741-389 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band Economy Ghana Economy - overview: Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold and cocoa production, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around agriculture, which accounts for about 35% of GDP and employs about 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana's agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in 2006. Thematic priorities under its current Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, which also provides the framework for development partner assistance, are: macroeconomic stability; private sector competitiveness; human resource development; and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with high prices for gold and cocoa helped sustain GDP growth in 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $34.52 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $17.72 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 37.3% industry: 25.3% services: 37.5% (2006 est.) Labor force: 11.52 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 56% industry: 15% services: 29% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 11% (2000 est.) Population below poverty line: 28.5% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.1% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 31.9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.021 billion expenditures: $5.521 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 66.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.4% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 13.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $2.179 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of quasi money: $2.174 billion (31 December 2006) Stock of domestic credit: $4.173 billion (31 December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.38 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 8.204 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 6.76 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 755 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 629 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 5% hydro: 95% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 7,571 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 49,300 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 5,709 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 45,520 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 15 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$1.807 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $5.439 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticulture Exports - partners: Netherlands 11%, UK 9%, France 6.2%, US 5.9%, Germany 4.6%, Belgium 4.4% (2007) Imports: $9.816 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Nigeria 15.1%, China 14.9%, UK 5.2%, US 5.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.316 billion in loans and grants (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.301 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $5.697 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Ghana cedi (GHC) Currency code: GHC Exchange rates: cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 1.1 (2008 est.), 0.95 (2007), 9,174.8 (2006), 9,072.5 (2005), 9,004.6 (2004) note: in 2007 Ghana revalued its currency with 10,000 old cedis equal to 1 new cedis Communications Ghana Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.604 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra; competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with subscribership about 35 per 100 persons and rising domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed international: country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 86, shortwave 3 (2007) Radios: 12.5 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 1.9 million (2001) Internet country code: .gh Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Ghana Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Pipelines: oil 5 km; refined products 309 km (2008) Railways: total: 953 km narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 62,221 km paved: 9,955 km unpaved: 52,266 km (2006) Waterways: 1,293 km note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta (2008) Merchant marine: total: 4 by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Tema Military Ghana Military branches: Ghanaian Army, Ghanaian Navy, Ghanaian Air Force (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,802,096 females age 16-49: 5,729,939 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,849,113 females age 16-49: 3,840,083 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 272,954 female: 266,186 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Ghana Disputes - international: Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d'Ivoire Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Guinea a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Guinea Introduction Guinea Background: Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003, though all the polls were marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008 when following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution as well as political and union activity. Guinea has maintained some semblance of internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, however, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006, and a third nationwide strike in early 2007. Geography Guinea Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 245,857 sq km land: 245,857 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km Coastline: 320 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt Land use: arable land: 4.47% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 92.89% (2005) Irrigated land: 950 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 226 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%) per capita: 161 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season Environment - current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands People Guinea Population: 10,057,975 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,175,852/female 2,128,518) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,701,184/female 2,704,161) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 153,053/female 195,207) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.5 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.572% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 37.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 11.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 65.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.09 years male: 55.63 years female: 58.6 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.6% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 87,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,500 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2008) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10% Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Languages: French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 29.5% male: 42.6% female: 18.1% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 10 years female: 7 years (2006) Education expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2005) Government Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea Government type: republic Capital: name: Conakry geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 October (1958) Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development, who led a military coup following the death of President Lansana CONTE on 22 December 2008 head of government: Prime Minister Kabine KOMARA (since 30 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held in December 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6% Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (legislative elections due in 2007 were rescheduled for 2008, but again delayed to an unspecified date) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9 note: legislative elections were due in 2007 but have been postponed Judicial branch: Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Sekou KONATE]; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH] Political pressure groups and leaders: National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]); National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea or CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mory Karamoko KABA chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth RASPOLIC embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle mailing address: B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00 FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Guinea Economy - overview: Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounts for over 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty due to the failing health of President Lansana CONTE. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006-08, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.07 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.454 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.4% industry: 40.9% services: 36.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: 3.7 million (2006 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 76% industry and services: 24% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 47% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 41% (2006) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 11.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $315 million expenditures: $796.5 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 22.25% (31 December 2005) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $309.8 million (31 December 2005) Stock of quasi money: NA Stock of domestic credit: $422.1 million (31 December 2005) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 800 million kWh note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 744 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 45.5% hydro: 54.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,559 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 8,811 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$535 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.202 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products Exports - partners: Russia 10.8%, Ukraine 9.6%, Spain 8.8%, US 7.5%, Germany 7.4%, South Korea 7.2%, France 7%, Ireland 5.5%, China 5% (2007) Imports: $1.392 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs Imports - partners: China 10%, France 7%, Netherlands 6.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $182.1 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $92 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $3.529 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): Guinean franc (GNF) Currency code: GNF Exchange rates: Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 5,500 (2008 est.), 4,122.8 (2007), 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004) Communications Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 2 per 100 persons international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .gn Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Guinea Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Railways: total: 837 km standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 44,348 km paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003) Waterways: 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2008) Ports and terminals: Conakry, Kamsar Military Guinea Military branches: Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Air Force, Presidential Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,230,049 females age 16-49: 2,193,236 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,396,278 females age 16-49: 1,435,387 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 110,281 female: 107,879 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Guinea Disputes - international: conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 21,856 (Liberia); 5,259 (Sierra Leone); 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children, and internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking; within the country, girls are trafficked primarily for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced agricultural labor, and as forced beggars, street vendors, shoe shiners, and laborers in gold and diamond mines; some Guinean men are also trafficked for agricultural labor within Guinea; transnationally, girls are trafficked into Guinea for domestic servitude and likely also for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking over 2006; Guinea demonstrated minimal law enforcement efforts for a second year in a row, while protection efforts diminished over efforts in 2006; the government did not report any trafficking convictions in 2007; due to a lack of resources, the government does not provide shelter services for trafficking victims; the government took no measures to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Brunei a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Brunei Introduction Brunei Background: The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia. Geography Brunei Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 5,770 sq km land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 8.5 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.09 per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994) Natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare Environment - current issues: seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia People Brunei Population: 388,190 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.8 years male: 27.7 years female: 27.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.759% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 18.39 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 3.28 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.74 years male: 73.52 years female: 78.07 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Ethnic groups: Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.) Religions: Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10% Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.7% male: 95.2% female: 90.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2000) Government Brunei Country name: conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei Government type: constitutional sultanate Capital: name: Bandar Seri Begawan geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Legal system: based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age for village elections; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; Sultan dissolved council on 1 September 2005 and appointed a new council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; council met in March 2006, in March 2007, and in March 2008. elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) Judicial branch: Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006) Political parties and leaders: National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered; parties are small and have limited activity Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela SHIM chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William E. TODD embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811 mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam telephone: [673] 222-0384 FAX: [673] 222-5293 Flag description: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Economy Brunei Economy - overview: Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. GDP (purchasing power parity): $20.65 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $17.18 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $54,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.7% industry: 75% services: 25% (2005 est.) Labor force: 188,800 (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.5% industry: 63.1% services: 32.4% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $6.889 billion expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.5% (February 2009) Stock of money: $2.674 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.258 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $2.38 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2006 est.) Electricity - production: 3.145 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 2.758 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 192,600 bbl/day (1st quarter 2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,200 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 200,000 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 304 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 13.8 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.99 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 9.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $7.101 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $8.25 billion f.o.b. (2007) Exports - commodities: crude oil, natural gas, garments Exports - partners: Japan 32.8%, Indonesia 24.4%, Australia 13.4%, South Korea 12.2%, US 5.5% (2007) Imports: $2.055 billion c.i.f. (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals Imports - partners: UK 46.4%, Singapore 19.5%, Malaysia 11.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: Debt - external: Currency (code): Bruneian dollar (BND) Currency code: BND Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003) Communications Brunei Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service) (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service) (2006) Televisions: Internet country code: .bn Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Brunei Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2008) Roadways: total: 3,650 km paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005) Waterways: 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 8 by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 1 (UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Lumut, Muara, Seria Military Brunei Military branches: Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF): Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 108,356 females age 16-49: 110,153 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 92,543 females age 16-49: 95,301 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 3,460 female: 3,399 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Brunei Disputes - international: Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and renounce any territorial claims on land; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands in 1984, but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants Illicit drugs: drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Mongolia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Mongolia Introduction Mongolia Background: The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAN they established a huge Eurasian empire through conquest. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and in the late 17th century came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing and a Communist regime was installed in 1924. The modern country of Mongolia, however, represents only part of the Mongols' historical homeland; more Mongols live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China than in Mongolia. Following a peaceful democratic revolution, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won elections in 1990 and 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) in the 1996 parliamentary election. The MPRP won an overwhelming majority in the 2000 parliamentary election, but the party lost seats in the 2004 election and shared power with democratic coalition parties from 2004-2008. The MPRP regained a solid majority in the 2008 parliamentary elections but nevertheless formed a coalition government with the Democratic Party. The prime minister and most cabinet members are MPRP members. Geography Mongolia Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 1,564,116 sq km land: 1,554,731 sq km water: 9,385 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 8,220 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron Land use: arable land: 0.76% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.24% (2005) Irrigated land: 840 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 34.8 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%) per capita: 166 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," which is harsh winter conditions Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia People Mongolia Population: 3,041,142 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 436,391/female 418,923) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 1,031,819/female 1,033,806) 65 years and over: 4% (male 52,430/female 67,773) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.493% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 21.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.16 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 39.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.65 years male: 65.23 years female: 70.19 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian Ethnic groups: Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000) Religions: Buddhist Lamaist 50%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none 40% (2004) Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 98% female: 97.5% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2004) Government Mongolia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local long form: none local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia Government type: parliamentary Capital: name: Ulaanbaatar geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Independence: 11 July 1921 (from China) National holiday: Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) Constitution: 13 January 1992 Legal system: blend of Soviet and German systems that employ "continental" or "civil" code; case-precedent may be used to inform judges, but all decisions must refer to the law as written; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 24 June 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Sanjaa BAYAR (since 22 November 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 20 September 2008); Vice Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 May 2005 (next to be held on 24 May 2009); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural election results: Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected president; percent of vote - Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 53.44%, Mendsaikhanin ENKHSAIKHAN 20.05%, Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN 13.92%, Badarchyn ERDENEBAT 12.59%; Miegombyn ENKHBOLD elected prime minister by the State Great Hural Legislative branch: unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms elections: last held 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPRP 45, DP 27, others 4; note - 1 seat disputed and unfilled Judicial branch: Supreme 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 and approved by the president) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Sanjaa BAYAR] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: human rights groups; women's groups International organization participation: ADB, ARF, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Khasbazaryn BEKHBAT chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTON embassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171 Mongolia mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13 telephone: [976] (11) 329-095 FAX: [976] (11) 320-776 Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Economy Mongolia Economy - overview: Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits. Copper, coal, gold, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten account for a large part of industrial production and foreign direct investment. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession because of political inaction and natural disasters, as well as economic growth because of reform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in 2000-02 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to privatization. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08, largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. Until late 2008 Mongolia experienced a soaring inflation rate, with year-to-year inflation reaching nearly 40% - the highest inflation rate in over a decade. In late 2008 falling commodity prices in this import-reliant country helped lower inflation, but by that time, the country had begun to feel the effects of the global financial crisis. Falling prices for copper and other mineral exports reduced government revenues and is forcing cuts in spending. The global credit crisis has stalled growth in key sectors, especially those that had been fueled by foreign investment. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. Mongolia purchases 95% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Trade with China represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China receives about 70% of Mongolia's exports. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and illegally are sizable, but have fallen due to the economic crisis; money laundering is a growing concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt with Russia at the end of 2003 on favorable terms. Mongolia, which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand its participation and integration into Asian regional economic and trade regimes. GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.792 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.991 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,300 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.6% industry: 38.4% services: 41% (2007) Labor force: 1.052 million (2007) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 37.7% industry: 12.9% services: 49.4% (2007) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 24.6% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Budget: revenues: $1.58 billion expenditures: $1.497 billion (2007) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9.87% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.54% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $504.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.81 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.191 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $612.2 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses Industries: construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2006 est.) Electricity - production: 3.078 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 2.638 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 195 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 12,860 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 12,630 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: NA Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$23 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.949 billion f.o.b. (2007) Exports - commodities: copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals, coal Exports - partners: China 71.9%, Canada 10.7%, US 4.8% (2007) Imports: $2.117 billion c.i.f. (2007) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea Imports - partners: China 32%, Russia 29.4%, South Korea 7.9%, Japan 7.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $159.5 million (2006) Debt - external: $1.438 billion (2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): togrog/tugrik (MNT) Currency code: MNT Exchange rates: togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,267.51 (2008), 1,170 (2007), 1,165 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004) Communications Mongolia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas domestic: very low fixed-line density; there are multiple mobile cellular service providers and subscribership is increasing rapidly; a fiber-optic network is also being installed that will improve broadband and communication services between major urban centers international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7 Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 115 (includes 20 National radio broadcaster repeaters), shortwave 4 (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 456 (including provincial and low-power repeaters) (2006) Televisions: Internet country code: .mn Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Mongolia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Heliports: Railways: total: 1,810 km broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.520-m gauge (2008) Roadways: total: 49,249 km paved: 2,671 km unpaved: 46,578 km (2008) Waterways: 580 km note: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May to September (2007) Merchant marine: total: 77 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 44, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 53 (China 1, Germany 4, Indonesia 1, North Korea 1, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Russia 9, Singapore 9, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 23) (2008) Military Mongolia Military branches: Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there is no navy (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months in land or air defense forces or police; a small portion of Mongolian land forces (2.5 percent) is comprised of contract soldiers; women cannot be deployed overseas for military operations (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 865,425 females age 16-49: 860,669 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 706,774 females age 16-49: 740,550 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 28,251 female: 27,344 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Mongolia Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Japan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Japan Introduction Japan Background: In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854, Japan opened its ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians - with heavy input from bureaucrats and business executives - wield actual decisionmaking power. The economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally. Geography Japan Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 377,835 sq km land: 374,744 sq km water: 3,091 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish note: with virtually no energy natural resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas as well as the second largest importer of oil Land use: arable land: 11.64% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 87.46% (2005) Irrigated land: 25,920 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 430 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 88.43 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 690 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons Environment - current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Geography - note: strategic location in northeast Asia People Japan Population: 127,078,679 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.5% (male 8,804,465/female 8,344,800) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 41,187,425/female 40,533,876) 65 years and over: 22.2% (male 11,964,694/female 16,243,419) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 44.2 years male: 42.4 years female: 46.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.191% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 7.87 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 66% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.12 years male: 78.8 years female: 85.62 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,600 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Ethnic groups: Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004) Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%) Languages: Japanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2002) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2005) Government Japan Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government Capital: name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Independence: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU; first recognized by Emperor Meiji in 1873) National holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Constitution: 3 May 1947 Legal system: modeled after German civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 24 September 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister; monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for fixed six-year terms; half reelected every three years; 146 members in multi-seat constituencies and 96 by proportional representation) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for maximum four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regional blocs); the prime minister has the right to dissolve the House of Representatives at any time with the concurrence of the cabinet. elections: House of Councillors - last held 29 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2010); House of Representatives - last held 11 September 2005 (next election by September 2009) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPJ 109, LDP 83, Komeito 20, JCP 7, SDP 5, others 18 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party (in single-seat constituencies) - LDP 47.8%, DPJ 36.4%, others 15.8%; seats by party - LDP 296, DPJ 113, Komeito 31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 24 (2007) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Ichiro OZAWA]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII]; Komeito [Akihiro OTA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Taro ASO]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Mizuho FUKUSHIMA] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: business groups; trade unions International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional members), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA, MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ichiro FUJISAKI chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Nashville Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James P. ZUMWALT embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Flag description: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center Economy Japan Economy - overview: In the years following World War II, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary speed to the rank of second most technologically powerful economy in the world after the US. Today, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, Japan is the third-largest economy in the world after the US and China. Two notable characteristic of the post-war economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. A tiny agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been spectacular - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the after effects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s that required a protracted period of time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. In October 2007 Japan's longest post-war period of economic expansion ended after 69 months and Japan entered into recession in 2008, with 2009 marking a return to near 0% interest rates. The 10-year privatization of Japan Post, which has functioned not only as the national postal delivery system but also, through its banking and insurance facilities as Japan's largest financial institution, was completed in October 2007, marking a major milestone in the process of structural reform. The Japanese financial sector was not heavily exposed to sub-prime mortgages or their derivative instruments and weathered the initial effect of the global credit crunch, but a sharp downturn in business investment and global demand for Japan's exports in late 2008 pushed Japan further into a recession. Japan's huge government debt, which totals 170% of GDP, and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems. Debate continues on the role of and effects of reform in restructuring the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.487 trillion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.844 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.7% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $35,300 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 26.4% services: 72.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 66.15 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 27.9% services: 66.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 22.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.672 trillion expenditures: $1.823 trillion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Public debt: 170.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 0.1% (19 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 1.68% (November 2008) Stock of money: $4.37 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.783 trillion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $9.653 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $4.453 trillion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish Industries: among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 1.195 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.08 trillion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60% hydro: 8.4% nuclear: 29.8% other: 1.8% (2001) Oil - production: 132,400 bbl/day (2007) Oil - consumption: 5.007 million bbl/day (2007) Oil - exports: 240,000 bbl/day (2007) Oil - imports: 5.032 million bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: 44.12 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 3.729 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 100.3 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 95.62 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $187.8 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $776.8 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals Exports - partners: US 20.4%, China 15.3%, South Korea 7.6%, Taiwan 6.3%, Hong Kong 5.4% (2007) Imports: $696.2 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, raw materials Imports - partners: China 20.5%, US 11.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.7%, UAE 5.2%, Australia 5%, South Korea 4.4%, Indonesia 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $11.19 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $954.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.492 trillion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $139.7 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $597 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): yen (JPY) Currency code: JPY Exchange rates: yen (JPY) per US dollar - 103.58 (2008 est.), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006), 110.22 (2005), 108.19 (2004) Communications Japan Telephones - main lines in use: 51.232 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 107.339 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions Radio broadcast stations: AM 215 (plus 370 repeaters), FM 89 (plus 485 repeaters), shortwave 21 (2001) Radios: 120.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 211 (plus 7,341 repeaters); in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) Televisions: 86.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .jp Internet hosts: 39.909 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 88.11 million (2007) Transportation Japan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 145 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 29 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 27 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 3,862 km; oil 167 km; oil/gas/water 53 km (2008) Railways: total: 23,474 km standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified) narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 20,182 km 1.067-m gauge (13,334 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 1,196,999 km paved: 949,101 km (includes 7,383 km of expressways) unpaved: 247,898 km (2006) Waterways: 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2007) Merchant marine: total: 683 by type: bulk carrier 136, cargo 30, carrier 3, chemical tanker 27, container 11, liquefied gas 59, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 135, petroleum tanker 156, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 51, vehicle carrier 61 registered in other countries: 3,074 (Australia 1, Bahamas 87, Belize 8, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 13, China 2, Cyprus 21, France 1, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 111, Indonesia 6, Isle of Man 6, Italy 1, South Korea 20, Liberia 116, Malaysia 4, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 17, Nigeria 1, Norway 29, Panama 2335, Philippines 81, Portugal 15, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 131, Thailand 4, UK 4, US 7, Vanuatu 29, Vietnam 1, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yohohama Military Japan Military branches: Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jietai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jietai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jieitai, ASDF) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 27,819,804 females age 16-49: 26,863,794 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 22,757,136 females age 16-49: 21,920,703 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 621,254 female: 589,270 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Japan Disputes - international: the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Dokdo) occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Afghanistan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Afghanistan Introduction Afghanistan Background: Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. The UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and the National Assembly was inaugurated the following December. Despite gains toward building a stable central government, a resurgent Taliban and continuing provincial instability - particularly in the south and the east - remain serious challenges for the Afghan Government. Geography Afghanistan Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 65 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 647,500 sq km land: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,529 km border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Land use: arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 87.66% (2005) Irrigated land: 27,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 65 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 23.26 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%) per capita: 779 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) People Afghanistan Population: 33,609,937 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 7,664,670/female 7,300,446) 15-64 years: 53% (male 9,147,846/female 8,679,800) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 394,572/female 422,603) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.6 years male: 17.6 years female: 17.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.629% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 19.56 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 24% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.4% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 151.95 deaths/1,000 live births male: 156.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 147.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.64 years male: 44.47 years female: 44.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.53 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan Ethnic groups: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4% Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1% Languages: Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 28.1% male: 43.1% female: 12.6% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 11 years female: 4 years (2004) Education expenditures: NA Government Afghanistan Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan local short form: Afghanestan former: Republic of Afghanistan Government type: Islamic republic Capital: name: Kabul geographic coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 11 E time difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) National holiday: Independence Day, 19 August (1919) Constitution: new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004; ratified 26 January 2004 Legal system: based on mixed civil and Sharia law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; former King ZAHIR Shah held the honorific, "Father of the Country," and presided symbolically over certain occasions but lacked any governing authority; the honorific is not hereditary; King ZAHIR Shah died on 23 July 2007 head of government: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Ahmad Zia MASOOD; Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004) cabinet: 25 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly elections: the president and two vice presidents are elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a second round; a president can only be elected for two terms; election last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held in August 2009) election results: Hamid KARZAI elected president; percent of vote - Hamid KARZAI 55.4%, Yunus QANUNI 16.3%, Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ 11.6%, Abdul Rashid DOSTAM 10.0%, Abdul Latif PEDRAM 1.4%, Masooda JALAL 1.2% Legislative branch: the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for five-year terms, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms) note: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils elections: last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held for the Wolesi Jirga by September 2009; next to be held for the provincial councils to the Meshrano Jirga by September 2008) election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system used in the election did not make use of political party slates; most candidates ran as independents Judicial branch: the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes Political parties and leaders: Afghanistan Peoples' Treaty Party [Sayyed Amir TAHSEEN]; Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF]; Afghanistan's Islamic Nation Party [Toran Noor Aqa Ahmad ZAI]; Afghanistan's National Islamic Party [Rohullah LOUDIN]; Afghanistan's Welfare Party [Meer Asef ZAEEFI]; Afghan Social Democratic Party [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; Afghan Society for the Call to the Koran and Sunna [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Comprehensive Movement of Democracy and Development of Afghanistan Party [Sher Mohammad BAZGAR]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Tawos ARAB]; Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Kabir RANJBAR]; Elites People of Afghanistan Party [Abdul Hamid JAWAD]; Freedom and Democracy Movement of Afghanistan [Abdul Raqib Jawid KOHISTANEE]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Ilaj Abdul MALEK]; Freedom Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Ghulam Farooq NEJRABEE]; Hizullah-e-Afghanistan [Qari Ahmad ALI]; Human Rights Protection and Development Party of Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATI]; Islamic Justice Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabir MARZBAN]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Ali JAWID]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Mukhtar MUFLEH]; Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Khalid FAROOQI, Abdul Hadi ARGHANDIWAL]; Islamic Party of the Afghan Land [Mohammad Hassan FEROZKHEL]; Islamic People's Movement of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hussain ANWARY]; Islamic Society of Afghanistan [Ustad RABBANI]; Islamic Unity of the Nation of Afghanistan Party [Qurban Ali URFANI]; Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Labor and Progress of Afghanistan Party [Zulfiqar OMID]; Muslim People of Afghanistan Party [Besmellah JOYAN]; Muslim Unity Movement Party of Afghanistan [Wazir Mohammad WAHDAT]; National and Islamic Sovereignty Movement Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah AHMADZAI]; National Congress Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Latif PEDRAM]; National Country Party [Ghulam MOHAMMAD]; National Development Party of Afghanistan [Dr. Aref BAKTASH]; National Freedom Seekers Party [Abdul Hadi DABEER]; National Independence Party of Afghanistan [Taj Mohammad WARDAK]; National Islamic Fighters Party of Afghanistan [Amanat NINGARHAREE]; National Islamic Front of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE]; National Islamic Moderation Party of Afghanistan [Qara Bik Eized YAAR]; National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Sayed NOORULLAH]; National Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad AKBAREE]; National Movement of Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOOUD]; National Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid ARYAN]; National Patch of Afghanistan Party [Sayed Kamal SADAT]; National Peace Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Shah Mohammood Popal ZAI]; National Peace & Islamic Party of the Tribes of Afghanistan [Abdul Qaher SHARIATEE]; National Peace & Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Qader IMAMI]; National Prosperity and Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Osman SALEKZADA]; National Prosperity Party [Mohammad Hassan JAHFAREE]; National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Eshaq GAILANEE]; National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Mansoor NADREEI]; National Sovereignty Party [Sayed Mustafa KAZEMI]; National Stability Party [Mohammad Same KHAROTI]; National Stance Party [Habibullah JANEBDAR]; National Tribal Unity Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANI]; National United Front [Burhanuddin RABBANI] (a coalition); National Unity Movement [Sultan Mohammad GHAZI]; National Unity Movement of Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH]; National Unity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Rashid JALILI]; New Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Yunis QANUNI]; Peace and National Welfare Activists Society [Shamsul Haq Noor SHAMS]; Peace Movement [Shahnawaz TANAI]; People's Aspirations Party of Afghanistan [Ilhaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; People's Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Feda Mohammad EHSAS]; People's Liberal Freedom Seekers Party of Afghanistan [Ajmal SUHAIL]; People's Message Party of Afghanistan [Noor Aqa WAINEE]; People's Movement of the National Unity of Afghanistan [Abdul Hakim NOORZAI]; People's Party of Afghanistan [Ahmad Shah ASAR]; People's Prosperity Party of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad ZAREEF]; People's Sovereignty Movement of Afghanistan [Hayatullah SUBHANEE]; People's Uprising Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Zahir Qayed Omul BELADI]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASIQ]; People's Welfare Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Progressive Democratic Party of Afghanistan [Wali ARYA]; Republican Party [Sebghatullah SANJAR]; Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT]; The Afghanistan's Mujahid Nation's Islamic Unity Movement [Saeedullah SAEED]; The People of Afghanistan's Democratic Movement [Sharif NAZARI]; Tribes Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Zarif NASERI]; Understanding and Democracy Party of Afghanistan [Ahamad SHAHEEN]; United Afghanistan Party [Mohammad Wasil RAHIMEE]; United Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Wahidullah SABAWOON]; Young Afghanistan's Islamic Organization [Sayed Jawad HUSSINEE]; Youth Solidarity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice Political pressure groups and leaders: other: religious groups; tribal leaders; ethnically based groups International organization participation: ADB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6410 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6488 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William B. WOOD embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806 telephone: [93] 0700 108 001 FAX: [93] 0700 108 564 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan Economy Afghanistan Economy - overview: Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Real GDP growth exceeded 7% in 2008. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attention to significantly raise Afghanistan's living standards from its current level, among the lowest in the world. International pledges made by more than 60 countries and international financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conference for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for 2004-09. While the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $57 billion at three donors' conferences since 2002, Kabul will need to overcome a number of challenges. Expanding poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade generate roughly $3 billion in illicit economic activity and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy concerns. Other long-term challenges include: budget sustainability, job creation, corruption, government capacity, and rebuilding war torn infrastructure. GDP (purchasing power parity): $26.29 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $12.85 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 26% services: 43% note: data exclude opium production (2008 est.) Labor force: 15 million (2004 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 10% services: 10% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $890 million expenditures: $2.7 billion note: Afghanistan has also received $2.6 billion from the Reconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and Order Trust Fund (2007 est.) Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 18.14% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.426 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $958.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $20.06 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 839 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.418 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 608 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,036 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 4,534 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 20 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 20 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $NA Exports: $327 million; note - not including illicit exports or reexports (2007) Exports - commodities: opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems Exports - partners: India 22.8%, Pakistan 21.8%, US 20.5%, Tajikistan 7.2% (2007) Imports: $4.85 billion (2007) Imports - commodities: capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products Imports - partners: Pakistan 36.8%, US 11%, India 5%, Germany 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $2.775 billion (2005) Debt - external: $8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004) Currency (code): afghani (AFA) Currency code: AFA Exchange rates: afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003) Communications Afghanistan Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.4 million (2008) Telephone system: general assessment: limited landline telephone service; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks in major cities domestic: aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service is improving rapidly international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 21, FM 5, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashto, Dari (Afghan Persian), Urdu, and English) (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: at least 7 (1 government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in 6 of the 34 provinces) (2006) Televisions: Internet country code: .af Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Communications - note: Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul (2005) Transportation Afghanistan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 466 km (2008) Roadways: total: 42,150 km paved: 12,350 km unpaved: 29,800 km (2006) Waterways: 1,200 km (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan Military Afghanistan Military branches: Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan National Army Air Corps) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,431,147 females age 16-49: 7,004,819 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,371,193 females age 16-49: 4,072,945 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 382,720 female: 361,733 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Afghanistan Disputes - international: Pakistan has built fences in some portions of its border with Afghanistan which remains open in some areas to foreign terrorists and other illegal activities Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2007) Illicit drugs: world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation decreased 22% to 157,000 hectares in 2008 but remains at a historically high level; less favorable growing conditions in 2008 reduced potential opium production to 5,500 metric tons, down 31 percent from 2007; if the entire opium crop were processed, 648 metric tons of pure heroin potentially could be produced; the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Saint Martin a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Saint Martin Introduction Saint Martin Background: Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished St. Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The cultivation of sugar cane introduced slavery to the island in the late 18th century; the practice was not abolished until 1848. The island became a free port in 1939; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded during the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003, the populace of St. Martin voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the northern portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity. Geography Saint Martin Location: island 300 km southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 05 N, 63 57 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 54.4 sq km land: 54.4 sq km water: NEGL Area - comparative: more than one-third the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 15 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 15 km Coastline: 58.9 km (for entire island) Climate: temperature averages 80-85 degrees all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; July-Novemeber is the hurricane season Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic du Paradis 424 m Natural resources: salt Environment - current issues: fresh water supply is dependent on desalinization of sea water Geography - note: the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten People Saint Martin Population: 29,820 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 3,991/female 4,048) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 9,596/female 10,532) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 742/female 911) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.5 years male: 29.5 years female: 31.3 years Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Ethnic groups: creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), white, East Indian Religions: Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu Languages: French (official language), English, Dutch, French Patois, Spanish, Papiamento (dialect of Netherlands Antilles) Government Saint Martin Country name: conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin conventional short form: Saint Martin local long form: Collectivity d'outre mer de Saint-Martin local short form: Saint-Martin Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France Capital: name: Marigot geographical coordinates: 18 04 N, 63 05 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight savings: +1 hour Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Frantz GUMBS (since 7 August 2008) cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory economic, social, and cultural council election: French president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term election results: Frantz GUMBS elected president by the Territorial Council on 7 August 2008 Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Council (23 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 and 8 July 2007 (next to be held July 2012) election results: percent of seats by party - UPP 49%, RRR 42.2%, Reussir Saint-Martin 8.9%; seats by party - UPP 16, RRR 6, Reussir Saint-Martin 1 note: Saint Martin elects one seat to the French Senate; election last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1 Political parties and leaders: Union Pour le Progres or UPP [Louis-Constant FLEMING]; Rassemblement Responsabilite Reussite or RRR [Alain RICHARDSON]; Reussir Saint-Martin [Jean-Luc HAMLET] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Saint Martin Economy - overview: The economy of Saint Martin centers around tourism with 85% of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported, primarily from Mexico and the United States. Saint Martin is reported to have the highest per capita income in the Caribbean. GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000) Labor force - by occupation: 85% directly or indirectly employed in tourist industry Industries: tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, food, manufactured items Currency (code): euro (EUR); note - US dollar (USD) widely used Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003) Communications Saint Martin Telephone system: general assessment: fully integrated access domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems international: country code - 590; undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe Radio broadcast stations: FM 3 (2007) Internet country code: .mf; note - .gp, the ccTLD for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the ccTLD for France, might also be encountered Transportation Saint Martin Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 Transportation - note: nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located in Sint Maarten Military Saint Martin Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 6,336 females age 16-49: 6,925 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 177 female: 162 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Cambodia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Cambodia Introduction Cambodia Background: Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful. Geography Cambodia Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 181,040 sq km land: 176,520 sq km water: 4,520 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oklahoma Land boundaries: total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km Coastline: 443 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m Natural resources: oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential Land use: arable land: 20.44% permanent crops: 0.59% other: 78.97% (2005) Irrigated land: 2,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 476.1 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%) per capita: 290 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts Environment - current issues: illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap People Cambodia Population: note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.6% (male 2,388,922/female 2,336,439) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 4,498,568/female 4,743,677) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 197,649/female 329,038) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 22.1 years male: 21.4 years female: 22.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.765% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 25.68 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.16 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 61.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.1 years male: 60.03 years female: 64.27 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 75,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,900 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Religions: Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5% Languages: Khmer (official) 95%, French, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.6% male: 84.7% female: 64.1% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006) Education expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2004) Government Cambodia Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation) local short form: Kampuchea former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia Government type: multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Phnom Penh geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 20 provinces (khaitt, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev municipalities: Keb, Pailin, Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh), Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville) Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953) Constitution: promulgated 21 September 1993 Legal system: primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections: the king is chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king Legislative branch: bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013); Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%; NRP 6%; FUNCINPEC 5%; others 2%; seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%; seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority Political parties and leaders: Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]; Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]; Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [CHHIM SEAK LENG]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI, also spelled SAM RAINSY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF; Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization); Students Movement for Democracy; The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel other: human rights organizations; vendors International organization participation: ACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador HENG HEM chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carol A. RODLEY embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 728-000 FAX: [855] (23) 728-600 Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design Economy Cambodia Economy - overview: From 2004 to 2008, the economy grew about 10% per year, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector, construction, agriculture, and tourism. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodian textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The garment industry currently employs more than 320,000 people and contributes more than 85% of Cambodia's exports. In 2005, exploitable oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial extraction begins. Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northern parts of the country, and the government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed and several rounds of discussions have been held since 2007. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007-08, however, economic troubles abroad will dampen growth in 2009. Rubber exports declined more than 15% in 2008 due to falling world market prices. The global financial crisis is weakening demand for Cambodian exports, and construction is declining due to a shortage of credit. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. GDP (purchasing power parity): $29.24 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $10.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 30% services: 41% (2007 est.) Labor force: 8.6 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 3.5% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 34.8% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 43 (2007 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 21.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.264 billion expenditures: $1.478 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20.2% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $513.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $2.309 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.131 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, silk Industries: tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 8.4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 1.163 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.178 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 110 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 65% hydro: 35% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,736 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 3,618 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: NA Current account balance: -$1.27 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $4.616 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear Exports - partners: US 58.1%, Germany 7.3%, UK 5.2%, Canada 4.6%, Vietnam 4.5% (2007) Imports: $6.424 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products Imports - partners: Thailand 23.1%, Vietnam 16.9%, China 15%, Hong Kong 10.4%, Singapore 7.5%, Taiwan 7.2%, South Korea 4.8% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $698.2 million pledged in grants and concession loans for 2007 by international donors (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.375 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $4.317 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): riel (KHR) Currency code: KHR Exchange rates: riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,070.94 (2008 est.), 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004) Communications Cambodia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.583 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service providers, is increasing and stands at nearly 20 per 100 persons domestic: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 50, shortwave NA (2008) Radios: 1.34 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 8 (including 2 TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese broadcasts); excludes 18 regional relay stations (2008) Televisions: Internet country code: .kh Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Cambodia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Heliports: Railways: total: 602 km narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 38,257 km paved: 2,406 km unpaved: 35,851 km (2004) Waterways: 2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 626 by type: bulk carrier 41, cargo 530, carrier 3, chemical tanker 10, container 8, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 467 (Canada 2, China 193, Cyprus 7, Egypt 13, Gabon 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 8, Indonesia 2, Japan 1, South Korea 22, Latvia 1, Lebanon 8, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Russia 83, Singapore 4, Syria 48, Taiwan 1, Turkey 26, Ukraine 34, UAE 2, US 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Phnom Penh, Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) Military Cambodia Military branches: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,759,034 females age 16-49: 3,784,333 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,673,383 females age 16-49: 2,763,256 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 177,881 female: 175,332 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Cambodia Disputes - international: Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part of a planned UN World Heritage site Illicit drugs: narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Bermuda a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Bermuda Introduction Bermuda Background: Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue. Geography Bermuda Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US) Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W Map references: North America Area: total: 53.3 sq km land: 53.3 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one-third the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November) Environment - current issues: sustainable development Geography - note: consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 People Bermuda Population: 67,837 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,271/female 6,163) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,555/female 23,215) 65 years and over: 14.2% (male 3,979/female 5,654) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.3 years male: 39.9 years female: 42.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.647% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 11.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.98 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.43 years male: 77.2 years female: 83.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS - deaths: Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Ethnic groups: black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census) Religions: Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census) Languages: English (official), Portuguese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (2005 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005) Education expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2006) Government Bermuda Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: parliamentary; self-governing territory Capital: name: Hamilton geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May Constitution: 8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007) head of government: Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006); Deputy Premier Paula COX cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held 18 December 2007 (next to be held not later than 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts Political parties and leaders: Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Kim SWAN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES] International organization participation: Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233 Flag description: red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Economy Bermuda Economy - overview: Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world, more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.5 billion (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2004 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $69,900 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%, professional and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%, services 19% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.1% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $738 million expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (November 2005) Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.731 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey Industries: international business, tourism, light manufacturing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 675.6 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 619.8 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,566 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 4,378 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $763 million (2006) Exports - commodities: reexports of pharmaceuticals Exports - partners: Spain 13.8%, Germany 11.7%, Switzerland 8.8%, Denmark 6.6%, UK 6% (2007) Imports: $1.162 billion (2006) Imports - commodities: clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals Imports - partners: South Korea 36.4%, US 15.7%, Germany 13.2%, Italy 11.8% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: Debt - external: $160 million (FY99/00) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Bermudian dollar (BMD) Currency code: BMD Exchange rates: Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) Communications Bermuda Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: good domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic trunk lines international: country code - 1-441; landing point for the Atlantica-1 telecommunications submarine cable that extends from the US to Brazil; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .bm Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Bermuda Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 447 km paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 137 by type: bulk carrier 23, chemical tanker 3, container 22, liquefied gas 33, passenger 24, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 9 foreign-owned: 115 (Australia 1, China 10, France 1, Germany 22, Greece 9, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 20, UK 3, US 23) registered in other countries: 50 (Bahamas 12, Marshall Islands 4, Philippines 34) (2008) Ports and terminals: Hamilton, Saint George Military Bermuda Military branches: Bermuda Regiment (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-23 years of age; eligible men required to register for conscription as needed into the Bermuda Regiment, which is largely voluntary; term of service 39 months (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 15,623 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 12,496 females age 16-49: 12,486 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 426 female: 413 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.11% of GDP (2005 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Bermuda Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Introduction Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Background: Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on St. Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. Geography Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) land: 389 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 84 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m Natural resources: hydropower, cropland Land use: arable land: 17.95% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 64.1% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.01 per capita: 83 cu m/yr (1995) Natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays People Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Population: 104,574 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 13,637/female 13,425) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 35,693/female 33,701) 65 years and over: 7.8% (male 3,659/female 4,459) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.9 years male: 29 years female: 28.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.344% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 15.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.96 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -11.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.65 years male: 71.82 years female: 75.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Ethnic groups: black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, European 4%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 3% Religions: Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, other (includes Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant) 12% Languages: English, French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 8.1% of GDP (2005) Government Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Kingstown geographic coordinates: 13 09 N, 61 14 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Constitution: 27 October 1979 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: 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 minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and six appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 55.3%, NDP 44.7%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consisting of a High Court and Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; 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) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador La Celia A. PRINCE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern Economy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Economy - overview: Economic growth slowed in 2008 after reaching a 10 year high of nearly 7% in 2006, and will likely slow in 2009 with the global economic downturn, though it will be above average for Latin America. Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity as well as remittance inflows. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism, but persistent high unemployment has prompted many to leave the islands. This lower-middle-income country is vulnerable to natural disasters - tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002. In 2007, the islands had more than 200,000 tourist arrivals, mostly to the Grenadines. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector and has moved to adopt international regulatory standards. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high debt burden - 25% of current revenues are directed towards debt servicing. An agreement with Italy to write-off debt reduced the public debt-to-GDP ratio to about 70%. The GONSALVES administration is directing government resources to infrastructure projects, including a new international airport that is expected to be completed in 2011. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.089 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $597 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.) Labor force: 41,680 (1991 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26% industry: 17% services: 57% (1980 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $94.6 million expenditures: $85.8 million (2000 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.61% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $155.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $280.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $387.8 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch Industrial production growth rate: -0.9% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 129 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 120 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 69.3% hydro: 30.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 1,570 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 1,460 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$149 million (2007 est.) Exports: $193 million (2006) Exports - commodities: bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch; tennis racquets Exports - partners: Greece 28.4%, Italy 14.6%, France 12%, UK 7.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, Spain 4.6%, Germany 4.3%, Saint Lucia 4.2% (2007) Imports: $578 million (2006) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels Imports - partners: Singapore 15.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.9%, Italy 13.3%, US 13%, China 5% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $4.89 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (2005) Debt - external: $223 million (2004) Currency (code): East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Communications Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 1-784; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables carry international calls; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2004) Televisions: Internet country code: .vc Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 829 km paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 525 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 83, cargo 315, carrier 20, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 6, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 18, specialized tanker 2, container 21 foreign-owned: 476 (Austria 2, Barbados 1, Belgium 8, Bulgaria 15, Canada 1, China 94, Croatia 7, Cyprus 1, Czech Republic 1, Denmark 16, Egypt 3, Estonia 16, France 6, Germany 3, Gibraltar 1, Greece 71, Guyana 2, Hong Kong 6, Iceland 7, India 7, Iran 1, Israel 2, Italy 17, Japan 3, Kenya 2, Latvia 17, Lebanon 6, Lithuania 9, Monaco 5, Montenegro 1, Namibia 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 13, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 21, Singapore 4, Slovenia 5, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 6, Syria 13, Turkey 20, Ukraine 11, UAE 9, UK 14, US 18, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kingstown Military Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 34,373 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 22,975 females age 16-49: 22,250 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,020 female: 1,009 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Disputes - international: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Turkey a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Turkey Introduction Turkey Background: Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO; it holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from 2009-2010. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy; it began accession membership talks with the European Union in 2005. Geography Turkey Location: 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 Syria Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 35 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 780,580 sq km land: 770,760 sq km water: 9,820 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,648 km border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km Coastline: 7,200 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Terrain: high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower Land use: arable land: 29.81% permanent crops: 3.39% other: 66.8% (2005) Irrigated land: 52,150 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 234 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 39.78 cu km/yr (15%/11%/74%) per capita: 544 cu m/yr (2001) Natural hazards: severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van Environment - current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country People Turkey Population: 76,805,524 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.2% (male 10,701,631/female 10,223,260) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 25,896,326/female 25,327,403) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 2,130,360/female 2,526,544) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.7 years male: 27.4 years female: 28.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.312% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 16.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 69% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.96 years male: 70.12 years female: 73.89 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Turk(s) adjective: Turkish Ethnic groups: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated) Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, Kabardian note: there is also a substantial Gagauz population in the European part of Turkey Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 95.3% female: 79.6% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2004) Government Turkey Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Turkey conventional short form: Turkey local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti local short form: Turkiye Government type: republican parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Ankara geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 32 52 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 81 provinces (iller, singular - ili); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel (Mersin), Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), 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 (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Republic Day, 29 October (1923) Constitution: 7 November 1982; amended 17 May 1987; note - amendment passed by referendum concerning presidential elections on 21 October 2007 Legal system: civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European Convention on Human Rights; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Cemil CICEK (since 29 August 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Hayati YAZICI (since 29 August 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Nazim EKREN (since 29 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament election results: on 28 August 2007 the National Assembly elected Abdullah GUL president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339 note: in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held on November 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 46.7%, CHP 20.8%, MHP 14.3%, independents 5.2%, and other 13.0%; seats by party - AKP 341, CHP 112, MHP 71, independents 26; note - seats by party as of 31 January 2009 - AKP 340, CHP 97, MHP 70, DTP 21, DSP 13, ODP 1, BBP 1, independents 5, vacant 2 (DTP entered parliament as independents; DSP entered parliament on CHP's party list); only parties surpassing the 10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court Political parties and leaders: Anavatan Partisi (Motherland Party) or Anavatan [Erkan MUMCU]; note - True Path Party or DYP has merged with the Motherland Party; Democratic Left Party or DSP [Zeki SEZER]; Democratic Society Party or DTP [Ahmet TURK]; Felicity Party or SP [Numan KURTULMUS] (sometimes translated as Contentment Party); Freedom and Solidarity Party or ODP [Hayri KOZANOGLU]; Grand Unity Party or BBP [Mushin YAZICIOGLU]; Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]; Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI] (sometimes translated as Nationalist Action Party); People's Rise Party (Halkin Yukselisi Partisi) or HYP [Yasar Nuri OZTURK]; Republican People's Party or CHP [Deniz BAYKAL]; Social Democratic People's Party or SHP [Ugur CILASUN (acting)]; Young Party or GP [Cem Cengiz UZAN] note: the parties listed above are some of the more significant of the 49 parties that Turkey had as of 31 January 2009 Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN]; Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Omer Cihad VARDAN]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim USLU]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or TISK [Tugurl KUDATGOBILIK]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Mustafa KUMLU]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Dervis GUNDAY]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Arzuhan Dogan YALCINDAG]; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU] International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (applicant), FAO, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nabi SENSOY chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir Flag description: 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 Economy Turkey Economy - overview: Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that still accounts for more than 35% 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 largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accounts for one-third of industrial employment; it faces stiff competition in international markets with the end of the global quota system. However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronics industries, are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix. Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. The economy turned around with the implementation of economic reforms, and 2004 GDP growth reached 9%, followed by roughly 5% annual growth from 2005-07. Due to global contractions, annual growth is estimated to have fallen to 3.5% in 2008. Inflation fell to 7.7% in 2005 - a 30-year low - but climbed back to 8.5% in 2007. Despite the strong economic gains from 2002-07, which were largely due to renewed investor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing, and tighter fiscal policy, the economy is still burdened by a high current account deficit and high external debt. Further economic and judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost foreign direct investment. The stock value of FDI currently stands at about $85 billion. Privatization sales are currently approaching $21 billion. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian to market. In 2007 and 2008, Turkish financial markets weathered significant domestic political turmoil, including turbulence sparked by controversy over the selection of former Foreign Minister Abdullah GUL as Turkey's 11th president and the possible closure of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Economic fundamentals are sound, marked by moderate economic growth and foreign direct investment. Nevertheless, the Turkish economy may be faced with more negative economic indicators in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown. In addition, Turkey's high current account deficit leaves the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. GDP (purchasing power parity): $930.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $798.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.5% industry: 28.6% services: 62.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 23.21 million note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29.5% industry: 24.7% services: 45.8% (2005) Unemployment rate: 7.9% plus underemployment of 4% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 34.1% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 21% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $164.6 billion expenditures: $176.3 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 37.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $64.43 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $254.3 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $358.1 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $286.6 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulse, citrus; livestock Industries: textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 181.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 141.5 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 2.576 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 863 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 79.3% hydro: 20.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001) Oil - production: 42,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 676,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 114,600 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 714,100 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 300 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 893 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 36.6 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 31 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 35.83 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$51.68 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $141.8 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment Exports - partners: Germany 11.2%, UK 8.1%, Italy 7%, France 5.6%, Russia 4.4%, Spain 4.3% (2007) Imports: $204.8 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment Imports - partners: Russia 13.8%, Germany 10.3%, China 7.8%, Italy 5.9%, US 4.8%, France 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $464 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $82.82 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $294.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $124.8 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $13.97 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Turkish lira (TRY); old Turkish lira (TRL) before 1 January 2005 Currency code: TRL, YTL Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar - 1.3179 (2008 est.), 1.319 (2007), 1.4286 (2006), 1.3436 (2005), 1.4255 (2004) note: on 1 January 2005 the old Turkish lira (TRL) was converted to new Turkish lira (TRY) at a rate of 1,000,000 old to 1 new Turkish lira; on 1 January 2009 the Turkish government dropped the word "new" and the currency is now called simply the Turkish lira Communications Turkey Telephones - main lines in use: 18.413 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 61.976 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion especially in mobile-cellular services domestic: 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: country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2002) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 107, shortwave 6 (2001) Radios: 11.3 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 20.9 million (1997) Internet country code: .tr Internet hosts: 2.667 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 13.15 million (2006) Transportation Turkey Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 90 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 4 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 17 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 7,555 km; oil 3,636 km (2008) Railways: total: 8,697 km standard gauge: 8,697 km 1.435-m gauge (1,920 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 426,951 km (includes 1,987 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 1,200 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 612 by type: bulk carrier 101, cargo 281, chemical tanker 70, combination ore/oil 1, container 35, liquefied gas 7, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 51, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 28, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Cyprus 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Italy 3, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 595 (Albania 1, Antigua and Barbuda 6, Bahamas 8, Belize 15, Cambodia 26, Comoros 8, Dominica 5, Georgia 14, Greece 1, Isle of Man 2, Italy 1, Kiribati 1, Liberia 7, Malta 176, Marshall Islands 50, Moldova 3, Netherlands 1, Netherlands Antilles 10, Panama 94, Russia 80, Saint Kitts and Nevis 35, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 20, Sierra Leone 15, Slovakia 10, Tuvalu 2, UK 2, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Aliaga, Diliskelesi, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mercin Limani, Nemrut Limani Military Turkey Military branches: Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri, TKK), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri, TDK; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Force (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri, THK) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 20,213,205 females age 16-49: 19,432,688 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,223,506 females age 16-49: 16,995,299 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 692,592 female: 663,689 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Military - note: a "National Security Policy Document" adopted in October 2005 increases the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) role in internal security, augmenting the General Directorate of Security and Gendarmerie General Command (Jandarma); the TSK leadership continues to play a key role in politics and considers itself guardian of Turkey's secular state; in April 2007, it warned the ruling party about any pro-Islamic appointments; despite on-going negotiations on EU accession since October 2005, progress has been limited in establishing required civilian supremacy over the military; primary domestic threats are listed as fundamentalism (with the definition in some dispute with the civilian government), separatism (the Kurdish problem), and the extreme left wing; Ankara strongly opposed establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region; an overhaul of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) taking place under the "Force 2014" program is to produce 20-30% smaller, more highly trained forces characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations; the TLFC has taken on increasing international peacekeeping responsibilities, and took charge of a NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command in Afghanistan in April 2007; the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; the Navy is heavily involved in NATO, multinational, and UN operations; its roles include control of territorial waters and security for sea lines of communications; the Turkish Air Force adopted an "Aerospace and Missile Defense Concept" in 2002 and has initiated project work on an integrated missile defense system; Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system (2008) Transnational Issues Turkey Disputes - international: complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Syria and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates waters; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq; border with Armenia remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1-1.2 million (fighting 1984-99 between Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs in southeastern provinces) (2007) Illicit drugs: key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Cote d'Ivoire a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Cote d'Ivoire Introduction Cote d'Ivoire Background: Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought Laurent GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remained unresolved. In March 2007 President GBAGBO and former New Force rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. As a result of the agreement, SORO joined GBAGBO's government as Prime Minister and the two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the zone of confidence separating North from South, integrate rebel forces into the national armed forces, and hold elections. Several thousand French and UN troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to help the parties implement their commitments and to support the peace process. Geography Cote d'Ivoire Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 322,460 sq km land: 318,000 sq km water: 4,460 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km Coastline: 515 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower Land use: arable land: 10.23% permanent crops: 11.16% other: 78.61% (2005) Irrigated land: 730 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 81 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.93 cu km/yr (24%/12%/65%) per capita: 51 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible Environment - current issues: deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated People Cote d'Ivoire Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.6% (male 4,215,912/female 4,146,077) 15-64 years: 56.6% (male 5,942,642/female 5,720,108) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 296,074/female 296,255) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.2 years male: 19.4 years female: 19.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.133% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 32.73 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 11.17 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 68.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 75.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.45 years male: 54.64 years female: 56.28 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.9% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 480,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 38,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Ivoirian(s) adjective: Ivoirian Ethnic groups: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998) Religions: Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.7% male: 60.8% female: 38.6% (2000 est.) Education expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (2001) Government Cote d'Ivoire Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire local short form: Cote d'Ivoire note: pronounced coat-div-whar former: Ivory Coast Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators Capital: name: Yamoussoukro geographic coordinates: 6 49 N, 5 17 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan Administrative divisions: 19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue, Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama, Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 August (1960) Constitution: approved by referendum 23 July 2000 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Guillaume SORO (since 4 April 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the current power-sharing agreement the prime minister and the president share the authority to appoint ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 October 2000 (elections were to be held in 2008 but have been repeatedly postponed by the government; the UN Security Council has extended the government's mandate); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (elections originally scheduled for 2005 have been repeatedly postponed by the government) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2 note: a Senate that was scheduled to be created in the October 2006 elections never took place Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members Political parties and leaders: Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Theodore MEL EG]; Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Pascale Affi N'GUESSAN]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Opposition Movement of the Future or MFA [Innocent Augustin ANAKY]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI [Toikeuse MABRI]; over 144 smaller registered parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of University and High School Students of Cote d'Ivoire or FESCI [Serges KOFFI]; Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace or RHDP [Alphonse DJEDJE MADY]; Young Patriots [Charles BLE GOUDE] International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yao Charles KOFFI chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 FAX: [1] (202) 244-3088 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT embassy: Cocody Riviera Golf 01, Abidjan mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01 telephone: [225] 22 49 40 00 FAX: [225] 22 49 43 32 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France Economy Cote d'Ivoire Economy - overview: Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products, and, to a lesser extent, in climatic conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. Since 2006, oil and gas production have become more important engines of economic activity than cocoa. According to IMF statistics, earnings from oil and refined products were $1.3 billion in 2006, while cocoa-related revenues were $1 billion during the same period. Cote d'Ivoire's offshore oil and gas production has resulted in substantial crude oil exports and provides sufficient natural gas to fuel electricity exports to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso. Oil exploration by a number of consortiums of private companies continues offshore, and President GBAGBO has expressed hope that daily crude output could reach 200,000 barrels per day (b/d) by the end of the decade. Since the end of the civil war in 2003, political turmoil has continued to damage the economy, resulting in the loss of foreign investment and slow economic growth. GDP grew by 1.8% in 2006, 1.7% in 2007, amd 2.5% in 2008. Per capita income has declined by 15% since 1999. GDP (purchasing power parity): $33.78 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $23.78 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,700 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27.9% industry: 21.9% services: 50.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 7.035 million (68% agricultural) (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 68% industry and services: NA Unemployment rate: unemployment may have climbed to 40-50% as a result of the civil war Population below poverty line: 42% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 34% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 9.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.725 billion expenditures: $5.082 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 58.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $4.451 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.915 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $4.404 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $8.353 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 5.274 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 3.177 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 1.066 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 54,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 25,950 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 84,940 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 71,850 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 100 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $407 million (2008 est.) Exports: $11.96 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish Exports - partners: Germany 9.7%, Nigeria 9.2%, Netherlands 8.4%, France 7.3%, US 7%, Burkina Faso 4.4% (2007) Imports: $7.948 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Nigeria 31.1%, France 16.7%, China 7.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $60 million (2007 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $14.46 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro Communications Cote d'Ivoire Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.05 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: well developed by African standards; telecommunications sector privatized in late 1990s and operational fixed-lines have more than quadrupled since that time; with multiple cellular service providers competing in the market, cellular usage has increased sharply to roughly 40 per 100 persons domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized international: country code - 225; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 2.26 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 1.09 million (2000) Internet country code: .ci Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Cote d'Ivoire Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 5 (2007) Pipelines: condensate 86 km; gas 180 km; oil 92 km (2008) Railways: total: 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000 meter gauge note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso (2006) Roadways: total: 80,000 km paved: 6,500 km unpaved: 73,500 km note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable (2006) Waterways: 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) (2008) Ports and terminals: Abidjan, Espoir, San-Pedro Military Cote d'Ivoire Military branches: Cote d'Ivoire Defense and Security Forces (FDSC): Army, Navy, Air Force (2006) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,369,735 females age 16-49: 4,287,042 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,122,106 females age 16-49: 2,936,391 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 236,159 female: 232,617 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2005 est) Transnational Issues Cote d'Ivoire Disputes - international: despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict still leaves displaced hundreds of thousands of Ivorians in and out of the country as well as driven out migrants from neighboring states who worked in Ivorian cocoa plantations; the March 2007 peace deal between Ivorian rebels and the government brought significant numbers of rebels out of hiding in neighboring states Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 25,615 (Liberia) IDPs: 709,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2007) Trafficking in persons: Cote d'Ivoire is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; trafficking within the country is more prevalent than international trafficking and the majority of victims are children; women and girls are trafficked from northern areas to southern cities for domestic servitude, restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation; boys are trafficked internally for agricultural and service labor and transnationally for forced labor in agriculture, mining, construction, and in the fishing industry; women and girls are trafficked to and from other West and Central African countries for domestic servitude and forced street vending tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cote d'Ivoire is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking in 2007, particularly with regard to its law enforcement efforts and protection of sex trafficking victims; in addition, Ivoirian law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, and Cote d'Ivoire has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Saudi Arabia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Saudi Arabia Introduction Saudi Arabia Background: Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. 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. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level; in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. Geography Saudi Arabia Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 2,149,690 sq km land: 2,149,690 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 4,431 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km Coastline: 2,640 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2005) Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 2.4 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%) per capita: 705 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: desertification; 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 spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal People Saudi Arabia Population: note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38% (male 5,557,453/female 5,340,614) 15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,608,032/female 7,473,543) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 363,241/female 343,750) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.6 years male: 22.9 years female: 19.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.848% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 28.85 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 2.49 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -7.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.29 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.3 years male: 74.23 years female: 78.48 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.83 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saudi(s) adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.8% male: 84.7% female: 70.8% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 6.8% of GDP (2004) Government Saudi Arabia Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conventional short form: Saudi Arabia local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Government type: monarchy Capital: name: Riyadh geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 13 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, Tabuk Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom) National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Constitution: governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992 Legal system: based on Sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; male Executive branch: chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - a new Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the new system will not take effect until after Crown Prince Sultan becomes king Legislative branch: Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights) other: gas companies; religious groups International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional members), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ford M. FRAKER embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah) Flag description: green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (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); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932 Economy Saudi Arabia Economy - overview: Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses more than 20% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 6.4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. High oil prices through mid-2008 have boosted growth, government revenues, and Saudi ownership of foreign assets, while enabling Riyadh to pay down domestic debt. The government is encouraging private sector growth - especially in power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemicals - to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil exports and to increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population, nearly 40% of which are youths under 15 years old. Unemployment is high, and the large youth population generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, infrastructure development, and government salaries. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has announced plans to establish six "economic cities" in different regions of the country to promote development and diversification. The last five years of high oil prices have given the Kingdom ample financial reserves to manage the impact of the global financial crisis, but tight international credit, falling oil prices, and the global economic slowdown will reduce Saudi economic growth in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $600.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $467.7 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $21,300 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 61.6% services: 35.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 6.74 million note: about one-third of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6.7% industry: 21.4% services: 71.9% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.8% among Saudi males only (local bank estimate; some estimates range as high as 25%) (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $293 billion expenditures: $136 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 13.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.3% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $113.2 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $134.3 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $66.94 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $246.4 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 179.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 156.8 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 9.2 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 1 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - exports: 8.2 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - imports: 41,680 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 266.8 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 75.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 75.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 7.167 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $151 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $311.1 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% Exports - partners: US 17.1%, Japan 16.3%, South Korea 9.7%, China 8.1%, Taiwan 4.7%, Singapore 4% (2007) Imports: $92.4 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles Imports - partners: US 12.6%, China 9.4%, Germany 8.8%, Japan 8.1%, Italy 5%, South Korea 4.9%, UK 4.5% (2007) Economic aid - donor: since 2002, Saudi Arabia has provided more than $480 million in budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority, supported Palestinian refugees through contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), provided more than $250 million to Arab League funds for the Palestinians, and pledged $500 million in assistance over the next three years at the Donors Conference in Dec 2007; pledged $230 million to development in Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loans to Iraq; pledged $133 million in direct grant aid, $187 million in concessional loans, and $153 million in export credits for Pakistan earthquake relief; pledged a total of $1.59 billion to Lebanon in assistance and deposits to the Central Bank of Lebanon in 2006 and pledged an additional $1.1 billion in early 2007 Economic aid - recipient: $26.29 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $28.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $63.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Saudi riyal (SAR) Currency code: SAR Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2008 est.), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004) Communications Saudi Arabia Telephones - main lines in use: 3.996 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 28.381 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly international: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) Radios: 6.25 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 5.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .sa Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 6.2 million (2007) Transportation Saudi Arabia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 77 over 3,047 m: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 136 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 15 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,239 km; refined products 1,148 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,392 km standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2006) Roadways: total: 221,372 km paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways) unpaved: 173,843 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 62 by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 13, container 5, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8 foreign-owned: 12 (Egypt 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 7, UAE 1) registered in other countries: 71 (Bahamas 16, Comoros 1, Dominica 2, France 1, Liberia 27, Marshall Islands 5, Norway 3, Panama 16) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Military Saudi Arabia Military branches: Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 8,547,441 females age 16-49: 6,381,098 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 7,486,622 females age 16-49: 5,652,819 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 278,179 female: 267,905 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 10% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Saudi Arabia Disputes - international: Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for workers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected to conditions that constitute involuntary servitude including being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on their movement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because some are confined to the house in which they work unable to seek help; Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni, Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children trafficked for forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; some Nigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia for commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers (2008) Illicit drugs: death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Moldova a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Moldova Introduction Moldova Background: Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into 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 Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. Geography Moldova Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 33,843 sq km land: 33,371 sq km water: 472 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,390 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 940 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: moderate winters, warm summers Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone Land use: arable land: 54.52% permanent crops: 8.81% other: 36.67% (2005) Irrigated land: 3,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 11.7 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.31 cu km/yr (10%/58%/33%) per capita: 549 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: landslides Environment - current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone People Moldova Population: 4,320,748 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.9% (male 353,495/female 334,592) 15-64 years: 73.3% (male 1,536,263/female 1,629,882) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 172,070/female 294,446) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 34.6 years male: 32.7 years female: 36.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.079% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 11.01 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.8 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.8 years male: 67.1 years female: 74.71 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,900 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan Ethnic groups: Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000) Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.7% female: 98.6% (2005 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 7.6% of GDP (2006) Government Moldova Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: Moldova former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Chisinau (Kishinev) note: pronounced kee-shee-now geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria) Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August (1991) Constitution: new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979 Legal system: based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Zinaida GRECEANII (since 31 March 2008); First Deputy Prime Minister Igor DODON (since 31 March 2008) cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held 5 April 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 21 March 2008; cabinet received a vote of confidence 31 March 2008 election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Zinaida GRECEANII designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 56 of 101 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic Moldova Bloc (AMN, PD, PSL) 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party - PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc (AMN, PD, PSL) 34, PPCD 11 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature) Political parties and leaders: Centrist Union or UCM [Vasile TARLEV]; Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [Dumitru DIACOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladmir FILAT]; Liberal Party or PL [Mihai GHIMPU]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our Moldova Alliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Party for Social Democracy or PDSM [Dumitru BRAGHIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae CHIRTOACA chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Asif CHAUDHRY embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300 FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044 Flag description: 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; same color scheme as Romania Economy Moldova Economy - overview: Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It 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 almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing, and again in January 2009, during a similar dispute. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006. However, in 2007-08 growth returned to the 6% level Moldova had achieved in 2000-05, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven by remittances from abroad. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will encourage higher growth rates, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Also, the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region continues to be a drag on the Moldovan economy. The deteriorating global economic crisis did not seriously effect the Moldovan economy in 2008 due to its low exposure to the international financial system, but a global economic slowdown, particularly in the EU and Russia, could hurt the economy in 2009 as Moldova relies heavily on remittances from Moldovans abroad. GDP (purchasing power parity): $10.76 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $6.197 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.3% industry: 21.5% services: 61.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.327 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 40.6% industry: 16% services: 43.3% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.1%; note - roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 26.4% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 36.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.95 billion expenditures: $2.01 billion (2008) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 21.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Commercial bank prime lending rate: 18.83% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $965 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.449 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.896 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $573.9 million (2004) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk Industries: sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 3.824 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 5.806 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 229 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.741 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 15,770 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 50 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 14,450 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 50 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.44 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.44 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$903 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.79 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, machinery Exports - partners: Russia 25.3%, Romania 13%, Italy 10%, Ukraine 8.7%, Germany 8.5%, Poland 6.2%, Belarus 4.2% (2007) Imports: $5 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles Imports - partners: Russia 20.5%, Ukraine 15.8%, Romania 15%, Germany 8.7%, Italy 5.7%, Poland 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $191.8 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $4.092 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Moldovan leu (MDL) Currency code: MDL Exchange rates: Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 10.326 (2008 est.), 12.177 (2007), 13.131 (2006), 12.6 (2005), 12.33 (2004) Communications Moldova Telephones - main lines in use: 1.08 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.883 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way domestic: depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait for service; multiple private operators of GSM mobile-cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 70 per 100 persons international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 (Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 29, shortwave NA (2006) Radios: 3.22 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 1.26 million (1997) Internet country code: .md Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Moldova Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Pipelines: gas 1,906 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,138 km broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 12,666 km paved: 12,117 km unpaved: 549 km (2007) Waterways: 424 km (on Dniester and Prut rivers) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 39 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 32, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 2, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 17 (Egypt 1, Romania 3, Russia 3, Syria 1, Turkey 3, Ukraine 5, Yemen 1) (2008) Military Moldova Military branches: National Army: Ground Forces, Rapid Reaction Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 12-month service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,161,924 females age 16-49: 1,187,771 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 877,665 females age 16-49: 987,356 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 31,633 female: 30,214 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Moldova Disputes - international: Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision Trafficking in persons: current situation: Moldova is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women and girls trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; Moldovan women are trafficked to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe; girls and young women are trafficked within the country from rural areas to Chisinau; children are also trafficked to neighboring countries for forced labor and begging; labor trafficking of men to work in the construction, agriculture, and service sectors of Russia is increasingly a problem tier rating: Tier 3 - Moldova does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government failed to follow-up on allegations of officials complicit in trafficking cited in the 2007 Report, and it did not demonstrate proactive efforts to identify trafficking victims (2008) Illicit drugs: limited 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 US; widespread crime and underground economic activity This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Brazil a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Brazil Introduction Brazil Background: Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil peacefully gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than half a century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems. Geography Brazil Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 8,511,965 sq km land: 8,456,510 sq km water: 55,455 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 Paulo Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 16,885 km border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km Coastline: 7,491 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land: 6.93% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.18% (2005) Irrigated land: 29,200 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 8,233 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south Environment - current issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador People Brazil Population: note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.6 years male: 27.8 years female: 29.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.199% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 18.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 86% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.99 years male: 68.43 years female: 75.73 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 730,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 15,000 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian Ethnic groups: white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census) Languages: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.6% male: 88.4% female: 88.8% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2005) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2004) Government Brazil Country name: conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil Government type: federal republic Capital: name: Brasilia geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Constitution: 5 October 1988 Legal system: based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote Executive branch: chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010) election results: Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR 44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11, PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70 Political parties and leaders: Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]; Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Vitor Paulo Araujo DOS SANTOS]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Sergio GUERRA]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS]; Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]; the Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL) [Federal Deputy Rodrigo MAIA]; Freedom and Socialism Party or PSOL [Heloisa HELENA]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Paulo Roberto MATOS]; Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE]; Liberal Front Party or PFL (now known as the Democrats or DEM); National Mobilization Party or PMN [Oscar Noronha FILHO]; Party of the Republic or PR [Sergio TAMER]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy Fernando CORUJA]; Progressive Party or PP [Francisco DORNELLES]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS]; Workers' Party or PT [Ricardo Jose Ribeiro BERZOINI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Landless Workers' Movement or MST other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church International organization participation: AfDB (nonregional members), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar PATRIOTA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife Flag description: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) Economy Brazil Economy - overview: Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA DA SILVA restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration in October of that year, LULA DA SILVA announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.03 trillion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.665 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,300 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.5% industry: 28.5% services: 66% (2008 est.) Labor force: 100.9 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: 14% services: 66% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 44.8% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 18.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 40.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 17.85% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 43.72% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $131.1 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $792.8 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.377 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.37 trillion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment Industrial production growth rate: 4.4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 437.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 402.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 40.47 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.3% hydro: 82.7% nuclear: 4.4% other: 4.6% (2001) Oil - production: 2.277 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.372 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 481,100 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 648,800 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 12.18 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 9.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 19.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 10 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 347.7 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$27.33 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $200 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos Exports - partners: US 16.1%, Argentina 9.2%, China 6.8%, Netherlands 5.6%, Germany 4.6% (2007) Imports: $176 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics Imports - partners: US 15.7%, China 10.5%, Argentina 8.6%, Germany 7.2%, Nigeria 4.4% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $191.9 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $197.4 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $236.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $280.9 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $119.1 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): real (BRL) Currency code: BRL Exchange rates: reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004) Communications Brazil Telephones - main lines in use: 39.4 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 120.98 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching nearly 65 per 100 persons domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) Radios: 71 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 36.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .br Internet hosts: 9.573 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 50 million (2007) Transportation Brazil Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 718 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 167 914 to 1,523 m: 467 under 914 m: 52 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3,545 1,524 to 2,437 m: 83 914 to 1,523 m: 1,555 under 914 m: 1,907 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008) Railways: total: 29,295 km broad gauge: 4,932 km 1.600-m gauge (939 km electrified) standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge narrow gauge: 23,773 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified) dual gauge: 396 km 1.000 m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 1,751,868 km paved: 96,353 km unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004) Waterways: 50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 136 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 22, carrier 1, chemical tanker 7, container 11, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 45, roll on/roll off 7 foreign-owned: 25 (Chile 1, Denmark 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Mexico 1, Norway 5, Spain 9) registered in other countries: 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Ghana 1, Liberia 3, Marshall Islands 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Guaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Military Brazil Military branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 52,449,957 females age 16-49: 52,375,921 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 38,043,555 females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,690,031 female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Brazil Disputes - international: unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipú Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suárez/Ilha de Guajará-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Río Mamoré, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute Illicit drugs: second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Clipperton Island a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Clipperton Island Introduction Clipperton Island Background: This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Geography Clipperton Island Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 6 sq km land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) Terrain: coral atoll Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: reef 12 km in circumference People Clipperton Island Population: uninhabited Government Clipperton Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion Dependency status: possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Clipperton Island Economy - overview: Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. Transportation Clipperton Island Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military Clipperton Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Clipperton Island Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Libya a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Libya Introduction Libya Background: The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI began to espouse his own political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system is a combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal practices and is supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI has always seen himself as a revolutionary and visionary leader. He used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan AM Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. During the 1990s, QADHAFI began to rebuild his relationships with Europe. UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in September 2003 after Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing. In December 2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction and to renounce terrorism. QADHAFI has made significant strides in normalizing relations with Western nations since then. He has received various Western European leaders as well as many working-level and commercial delegations, and made his first trip to Western Europe in 15 years when he traveled to Brussels in April 2004. The US rescinded Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in June 2006. In January 2008, Libya assumed a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2008/09 term. In August 2008, the US and Libya signed a bilateral comprehensive claims settlement agreement to compensate claimants in both countries who allege injury or death at the hands of the other country, including the Lockerbie bombing, the LaBelle disco bombing, and the UTA 772 bombing. In October 2008, the US Government received $1.5 billion pursuant to the agreement to distribute to US national claimants, and as a result effectively normalized its bilateral relationship with Libya. The two countries then exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 1973 in January 2009. Geography Libya Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,759,540 sq km land: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Coastline: 1,770 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north exclusive fishing zone: 62 nm Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Land use: arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2005) Irrigated land: 4,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.6 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 4.27 cu km/yr (14%/3%/83%) per capita: 730 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: desertification; 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 cities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert People Libya Population: note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 1,064,866/female 1,019,790) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 2,033,478/female 1,920,755) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 133,092/female 138,453) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 23.9 years male: 24 years female: 23.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.17% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 25.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 3.46 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.26 years male: 74.98 years female: 79.65 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.08 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan Ethnic groups: Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians) Religions: Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3% Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.6% male: 92.4% female: 72% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2003) Education expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (1999) Government Libya Country name: conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jamahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uthma local short form: none Government type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state Capital: name: Tripoli (Tarabulus) geographic coordinates: 32 53 N, 13 10 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 25 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 regions Independence: 24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship) National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Constitution: none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority Legal system: based on Italian and French civil law systems and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held March 2006 (next to be held March 2009) election results: NA Legislative branch: unicameral General People's Congress (760 seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: other: Arab nationalist movements; anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile Movement; Islamic elements International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI chancery: 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 944-9601 FAX: [1] (202) 944-9060 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ embassy: off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour mailing address: US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850 telephone: [218] 91-220-3239 Flag description: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) Economy Libya Economy - overview: The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute about 95% of export earnings, about one-quarter of GDP, and 60% of public sector wages. The expected weakness in world hydrocarbon prices throughout 2009 will reduce Libyan government tax income and constrain Libyan economic growth in 2009. Substantial revenues from the energy sector coupled with 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. Libyan officials in the past five years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. UN Sanctions against Libya were lifted in September 2003. The process of lifting US unilateral sanctions began in the spring of 2004; all sanctions were removed by June 2006, helping Libya attract greater foreign direct investment, especially in the energy sector. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds continue to draw high international interest; the National Oil Company set a goal of nearly doubling oil production to 3 million bbl/day by 2012. Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps - including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for more than 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. Libya's primary agricultural water source remains the Great Manmade River Project, but significant resources are being invested in desalinization research to meet growing water demands. GDP (purchasing power parity): $92.01 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $108.5 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 61.7% services: 36.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.916 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 17% industry: 23% services: 59% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: 7.4% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 8.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $56.35 billion expenditures: $29.12 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 3.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $18.04 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.192 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle Industries: petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 23.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 20.71 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 1.845 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 278,700 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 1.455 million bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 575 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 41.46 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 14.8 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 6.39 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 9.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.419 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $43.33 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $66.13 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals Exports - partners: Italy 40.5%, Germany 12.2%, US 7.4%, Spain 7.4%, France 6.3% (2007) Imports: $20.64 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products Imports - partners: Italy 18.9%, Germany 7.7%, China 7.3%, Tunisia 6.8%, France 5.7%, Turkey 5.4%, US 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $24.44 million (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $99.45 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $5.521 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $8.736 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $4.783 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Libyan dinar (LYD) Currency code: LYD Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.2112 (2008 est.), 1.2604 (2007), 1.3108 (2006), 1.3084 (2005), 1.305 (2004) Communications Libya Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.5 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996; multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density approached 90 telephones per 100 persons in 2007 domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 218; 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 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2001) Radios: 1.35 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus 1 repeater) (1999) Televisions: Internet country code: .ly Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Libya Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 60 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 81 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 18 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 776 km; gas 2,860 km; oil 6,987 km (2008) Railways: 0 km note: Libya has announced plans to build seven lines totaling 2,757 km of 1.435-m gauge track (2006) Roadways: total: 100,024 km paved: 57,214 km unpaved: 42,810 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 17 by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Syria 2) registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli, Zawiyah Military Libya Military branches: Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriya al-Arabia al-Libyya, LAAF) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,682,183 females age 16-49: 1,611,001 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,466,578 females age 16-49: 1,409,684 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 60,710 female: 58,219 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Libya Disputes - international: Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 8,000 (Palestinian Territories) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in 2007 when compared to 2006, particularly in the area of investigating and prosecuting trafficking offenses; Libya did not publicly release any data on investigations or punishment of any trafficking offenses (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Greenland a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Greenland Introduction Greenland Background: Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008, although Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government. Geography Greenland Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 2,166,086 sq km land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) (2000 est.) Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 44,087 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island Environment - current issues: protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting Geography - note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap People Greenland Population: 57,600 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 6,727/female 6,533) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 21,696/female 18,669) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 2,000/female 1,975) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.5 years male: 34.9 years female: 31.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.062% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 14.87 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.23 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.07 years male: 67.44 years female: 72.85 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic Ethnic groups: Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (2000) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2001 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government Greenland Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 Government type: parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Nuuk (Godthab) geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Greenland is divided into four time zones Administrative divisions: 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland) note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland Independence: none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland) National holiday: June 21 (longest day) Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December 2002) cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election results: Hans ENOKSEN reelected prime minister note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 15 November 2005 (next to be held by December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 30.7%, Demokratiit 22.8%, IA 22.6%, Atassut Party 19.1%; Katusseqatigiit 4.1%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Demokratiit 7, IA 7, Atassut 6, Katusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 Judicial branch: High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen) Political parties and leaders: Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Finn KARLSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Josef MOTZFELDT] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Hans ENOKSEN] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) Political pressure groups and leaders: other: conservationists; environmentalists International organization participation: Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white Economy Greenland Economy - overview: The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and a substantial subsidy 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. Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities are ongoing and in 2007 a US firm signed an agreement with the Greenland Home Rule government to study the feasibility of building a multi-billion dollar aluminum smelter and hydropower plant. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.1 billion (2001 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.7 billion (2005) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $20,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: Unemployment rate: 9.3% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.36 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion (2005) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2005 est.) Agriculture - products: forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 305 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 283.7 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% note: Greenland is shifting its electricity production from fossil fuel to hydropower production (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 3,927 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 150 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 4,089 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $480 million f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%) (2001 est.) Exports - partners: Denmark 61.8%, Japan 9.9%, Canada 7.3%, China 5.8% (2007) Imports: $712 million c.i.f. (2006) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products Imports - partners: Denmark 68.1%, Sweden 19.3%, Canada 2.5% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $512 million; note - subsidy from Denmark (2005) Debt - external: $25 million (1999) Currency (code): Danish krone (DKK) Currency code: DKK Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Communications Greenland Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995 domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2008) Radios: 30,000 (1998 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997) Televisions: 30,000 (1998 est.) Internet country code: .gl Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Greenland Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Roadways: note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005) Merchant marine: total: 2 by type: cargo 1, passenger 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Sisimiut Military Greenland Military branches: no regular military forces Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 15,221 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 10,809 females age 16-49: 11,437 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 532 female: 491 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues Greenland Disputes - international: managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Sierra Leone a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Sierra Leone Introduction Sierra Leone Background: Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption. Geography Sierra Leone Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: arable land: 7.95% permanent crops: 1.05% other: 91% (2005) Irrigated land: 300 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 160 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%) per capita: 69 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms Environment - current issues: rapid 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 depleted natural resources; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa People Sierra Leone Population: 6,440,053 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,407,226/female 1,460,366) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 1,613,554/female 1,750,250) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 95,533/female 113,124) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.5 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.282% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 45.08 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 22.26 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 154.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 171.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 136.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.24 years male: 38.92 years female: 43.64 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.7% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 55,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,300 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2008) Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean Ethnic groups: 20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 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 Indians Religions: Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30% Languages: 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%) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 35.1% male: 46.9% female: 24.4% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 6 years (2001) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2005) Government Sierra Leone Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone local short form: Sierra Leone Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Freetown geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1961) Constitution: 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 11 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, SLPP 43, PMDC 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court Political parties and leaders: All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON]; People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Solomon BEREWA]; numerous others Political pressure groups and leaders: other: student unions; trade unions International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263 FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 515 000 or [232] (76) 515 000 FAX: [232] (22) 515 355 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue Economy Sierra Leone Economy - overview: Sierra Leone is an extremely poor nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its physical and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Nearly half 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. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation. A recent increase in political stability has led to a revival of economic activity such as the rehabilitation of bauxite and rutile mining. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.418 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.971 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $700 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 31% services: 21% (2001 est.) Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.6% (1989) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Budget: revenues: $96 million expenditures: $351 million (2000 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.7% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $184.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $177.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $162.9 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Industries: diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 250 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 232.5 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 1 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 8,430 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 432 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 8,271 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$63 million (2007 est.) Exports: $216 million f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish Exports - partners: Belgium 49.3%, US 20.5%, Netherlands 4.5%, Canada 4.1% (2007) Imports: $560 million f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals Imports - partners: Cote d'Ivoire 10%, China 10%, US 9.5%, UK 6.2%, Netherlands 5.1%, India 4.7% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $343.4 million (2005 est.) Debt - external: $1.61 billion (2003 est.) Currency (code): leone (SLL) Currency code: SLL Exchange rates: leones (SLL) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2,961.7 (2006), 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003) Communications Sierra Leone Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: marginal telephone service domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: 1.12 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .sl Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Sierra Leone Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: total: 11,300 km paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002) Waterways: 800 km (600 km year round) (2007) Merchant marine: total: 182 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 3, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 2 foreign-owned: 95 (Belgium 1, China 15, Egypt 3, Greece 1, Hong Kong 1, Lebanon 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 1, Romania 3, Russia 11, Syria 18, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 10, UAE 8, UK 2, US 1, Yemen 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands Military Sierra Leone Military branches: Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Navy (Maritime Wing), Air Wing) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,315,561 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 692,469 females age 16-49: 762,239 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 71,524 female: 75,491 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Sierra Leone Disputes - international: as domestic fighting among disparate ethnic groups, rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone gradually abate, the number of refugees in border areas has begun to slowly dwindle; UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has maintained over 4,000 peacekeepers in Sierra Leone since 1999; Sierra Leone considers excessive Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands including the hamlet of Yenga occupied since 1998 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 27,311 (Liberia) (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Macau a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Macau Introduction Macau Background: Colonized 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 the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Geography Macau Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 28.2 sq km land: 28.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km Coastline: 41 km Maritime claims: not specified Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Terrain: generally flat Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) Geography - note: essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges People Macau Population: 559,846 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 47,853/female 42,019) 15-64 years: 76.2% (male 199,593/female 227,010) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 20,245/female 23,126) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 35.2 years male: 35.9 years female: 34.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.995% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 8.69 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 3.43 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 14.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 84.36 years male: 81.39 years female: 87.47 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 0.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese Ethnic groups: Chinese 94.3%, other 5.7% (includes Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry)) (2006 census) Religions: Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.) Languages: Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%, other 1.6% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 95.3% female: 87.8% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 16 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2005) Government Macau Country name: conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Macau local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese) Dependency status: special administrative region of China Government type: limited democracy Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China) Independence: none (special administrative region of China) National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Constitution: Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution" Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system Suffrage: direct election 18 years of age for some non-executive positions, 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 bodies Executive branch: chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999) cabinet: Executive Council consists of one government secretary, three legislators, four businessmen, one pro-Beijing unionist, and one pro-Beijing educator elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 29 August 2004 (next to be held on 28 June 2009) election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected received 296 votes; three members submitted blank ballots; one member was absent Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 members elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held in the fall of 2009) election results: percent of vote - New Democratic Macau Association 18.8%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16.6%, Union for Development 13.3%, Union for Promoting Progress 9.6%, Macau Development Alliance 9.3%, others 32.4%; seats by political group - New Democratic Macau Association 2, Macau United Citizens' Association 2, Union for Development 2, Union for Promoting Progress 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, New Hope 1, Convergence for Development 1, General Union for the Good of Macau 1; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief executive Judicial branch: Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region Political parties and leaders: New Hope [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Development Union [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONG On-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; New Democratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; Union for Promoting Progress [LEONG Heng-teng] note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies Political pressure groups and leaders: Civic Power [Agnes LAM Lok-fong]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO]; Macau Worker's Union [HO Heng-kuok]; Roman Catholic Church; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong] International organization participation: IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WFTU, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative region of China) Diplomatic representation from the US: the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau Flag description: light 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 Economy Macau Economy - overview: Macau's economy has enjoyed strong growth in recent years on the back of its expanding tourism and gaming sectors. After opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, the territory attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming Macao into the world's largest gaming center. By 2006, Macau's gaming revenue surpassed that of the Las Vegas strip, and gaming-related taxes accounted for 75% of total government revenue. In 2008, government revenue from gaming was set to double 2006 collections. The expanding casino sector, and China's decision beginning in 2002 to relax travel restrictions, reenergized Macau's tourism industry. This city of just over 500,000 hosted more than 30 million visitors in 2008. Almost 60% of these came from mainland China, despite increasing restrictions on travel to the SAR. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has been in a slow decline since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. In 2008, exports of textiles and garments generated only $1.1 billion, compared to $13.7 billion in gross gaming receipts. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland. Macau's currency, the Pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory. GDP (purchasing power parity): $18.14 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $22.04 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: GDP - per capita (PPP): GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 2.8% services: 97.1% (2007 est.) Labor force: 337,400 (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 7.4%, construction 12.6%, transport and communications 5%, wholesale and retail trade 12.5%, restaurants and hotels 12.7%, gambling 14%, public sector 6%, financial services 2.1%, other services and agriculture 27.7% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $6.2 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion (2008) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.25% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $2.66 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $20.5 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Agriculture - products: only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong Industries: tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 1.106 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - consumption: 3.311 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.215 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 7,942 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2008) Oil - imports: 5,027 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 81.6 million cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - imports: 81.9 million cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 300,000 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Exports: $2 billion f.o.b.; note - includes reexports (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts Exports - partners: US 40.6%, China 14.8%, Hong Kong 13.1%, Germany 6.4%, UK 4% (2007) Imports: $5.4 billion c.i.f. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils Imports - partners: China 42.6%, Hong Kong 10.1%, Japan 9%, US 5.6%, Germany 4.4%, France 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $13.7 million (2004) Debt - external: Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $7.9 billion (2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.9 billion (2007) Currency (code): pataca (MOP) Currency code: MOP Exchange rates: patacas (MOP) per US dollar - 8.011 (2007), 8.0015 (2006), 8.011 (2005), 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003) Communications Macau Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 190 per 100 persons in 2008; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .mo Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Macau Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: total: 384 km paved: 384 km (2006) Ports and terminals: Macau Military Macau Military branches: no regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of China (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 121,825 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 122,962 females age 16-49: 148,809 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,578 female: 4,052 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of China Transnational Issues Macau Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Argentina a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Argentina Introduction Argentina Background: In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist populism and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents. Geography Argentina Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay Geographic coordinates: 34 00 S, 64 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 2,766,890 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 30,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 9,861 km border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 580 km Coastline: 4,989 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border Elevation extremes: lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza) Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium Land use: arable land: 10.03% permanent crops: 0.36% other: 89.61% (2005) Irrigated land: 15,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 814 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 29.19 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%) per capita: 753 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding Environment - current issues: environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere People Argentina Population: 40,913,584 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.6% (male 5,369,477/female 5,122,260) 15-64 years: 63.5% (male 12,961,725/female 13,029,265) 65 years and over: 10.8% (male 1,819,057/female 2,611,800) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30 years male: 29 years female: 31 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.053% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 18.11 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.56 years male: 73.32 years female: 79.97 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 120,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine Ethnic groups: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% Languages: Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.2% male: 97.2% female: 97.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2005) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2004) Government Argentina Country name: conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina local short form: Argentina Government type: republic Capital: name: Buenos Aires geographic coordinates: 34 36 S, 58 40 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends third Saturday in March; note - a new policy of daylight saving time was initiated by the government on 30 December 2007 Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain) National holiday: Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) Constitution: 1 May 1853; amended many times starting in 1860 Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Julio COBOS (since 10 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 October 2007 (next election to be held in 2011) election results: Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER elected president; percent of vote - Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER 45%, Elisa CARRIO 23%, Roberto LAVAGNA 17%, Alberto Rodriguez SAA 8% Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 28 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 12, UCR 4, CC 4, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 5, UCR 10, PJ 10, PRO 6, CC 16, FJ 2, other 31; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Senate - seats by bloc or party - FpV 42, UCR 8, CC 2, other 20; Chamber of Deputies - seats by bloc or party - FpV 119, UCR 24, CC 18, PS 10, PRO 9, other 77 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of the Senate) note: the Supreme Court currently has seven judges, and the Argentine Congress in 2006 passed a bill to gradually reduce the number of Supreme Court judges to five Political parties and leaders: Coalicion Civica (a broad coalition loosely affiliated with Elisa CARRIO); Front for Victory or FpV (a broad coalition, including elements of the UCR and numerous provincial parties) [Nestor KIRCHNER]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of approximately 12 parties including PRO); Justicialist Party or PJ [Nestor KIRCHNER]; Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES]; Republican Proposal or PRO [Mauricio MACRI] (including Federal Recreate Movement or RECREAR [Esteban BULLRICH]; Socialist Party or PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several provincial parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Confederation or CRA (small to medium landowners' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union for employed and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); White and Blue CGT (dissident CGT labor confederation); Roman Catholic Church other: business organizations; Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government); students International organization participation: AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hector Marcos TIMERMAN chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Earl Anthony WAYNE embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires mailing address: international mail: use embassy street address; APO address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May Economy Argentina Economy - overview: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external indebtedness, and a bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default - the largest in history - on the government's foreign debt in December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002. The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines under the poverty line. Real GDP rebounded to grow by an average 9% annually over the subsequent five years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden, excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation also increased, however, during the administration of President Nestor KIRCHNER, which responded with price restraints on businesses, as well as export taxes and restraints, and beginning in early 2007, with understating inflation data. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as President in late 2007, but was stymied in her efforts to hike export taxes still further by protesting farmers. Her government nationalized private pension funds in late 2008, which bolstered government coffers, but failed to assuage investors' concerns about the direction of economic policy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $585 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $338.7 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.2% industry: 34.1% services: 56.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 16.27 million note: urban areas only (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 23% services: 76% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.8% (September 2008) Population below poverty line: 23.4% (January-June 2007) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 35% (January-March 2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 49 (January-March 2007) Investment (gross fixed): 24% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $86.3 billion expenditures: $80.4 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 51% of GDP (June 2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22% based on non-official estimates; the much lower official rate lacks credibility (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 28% (28 November 2008) Stock of money: $33.93 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $45.92 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $72.55 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $86.68 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 109.4 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 97.72 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 2.628 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 10.27 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% nuclear: 6.7% other: 0.2% (2001) Oil - production: 790,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 440,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 339,900 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 23,380 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 2.587 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 44.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 44.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 2.6 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 1.9 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 446 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $6 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $73 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat Exports - partners: Brazil 19.1%, China 9.4%, US 7.9%, Chile 7.6% (2007) Imports: $59.9 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics Imports - partners: Brazil 34.6%, US 12.6%, China 12%, Germany 5% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $99.66 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $45.9 billion (15 December 2008) Debt - external: $135.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $69.1 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $26.81 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Argentine peso (ARS) Currency code: ARS Exchange rates: Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 3.1636 (2008 est.), 3.1105 (2007), 3.0543 (2006), 2.9037 (2005), 2.9233 (2004) Communications Argentina Telephones - main lines in use: 9.5 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 40.402 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving; fixed-line telephone density is gradually increasing reaching nearly 25 lines per 100 people in 2007; mobile telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and has reached a level of 100 telephones per 100 persons domestic: 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; broadband services are gaining ground international: country code - 54; landing point for the Atlantis-2, UNISUR, and South America-1 optical submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos Aires (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 260 (includes 10 inactive stations), FM (probably more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998) Radios: 24.3 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 7.95 million (1997) Internet country code: .ar Internet hosts: 3.813 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 9.309 million (2007) Transportation Argentina Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 154 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 9 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,118 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 515 under 914 m: 556 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 28,138 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 5,939 km; refined products 3,629 km (2008) Railways: total: 31,902 km broad gauge: 20,858 km 1.676-m gauge (141 km electrified) standard gauge: 2,885 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) narrow gauge: 7,922 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 231,374 km paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways) unpaved: 161,962 km (2004) Waterways: 11,000 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 46 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 9, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 14 (Brazil 1, Chile 7, Spain 2, UK 4) registered in other countries: 19 (Liberia 3, Panama 8, Paraguay 5, Uruguay 3) (2008) Ports and terminals: Arroyo Seco, Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin Military Argentina Military branches: Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (18-21 requires parental permission); no conscription (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 10,029,488 females age 16-49: 9,889,002 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,264,853 females age 16-49: 8,268,498 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 341,590 female: 326,342 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) Military - note: the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military is implementing a modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive (2008) Transnational Issues Argentina Disputes - international: Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed no longer to seek settlement by force; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims; unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; in 2006, Argentina went to the ICJ to protest, on environmental grounds, the construction of two pulp mills in Uruguay on the Uruguay River, which forms the boundary; both parties presented their pleadings in 2007 with Argentina's reply in January and Uruguay's rejoinder in July 2008; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001 has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Argentina is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; most victims are trafficked within the country, from rural to urban areas; child sex tourism is a problem; foreign women and children, primarily from Paraguay, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, are trafficked to Argentina for commercial sexual exploitation; Argentine women and girls are also trafficked to neighboring countries, Mexico, and Western Europe for sexual exploitation; a significant number of Bolivians, Peruvians, and Paraguayans are trafficked into the country for forced labor in sweatshops, agriculture, and as domestic servants tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - despite some progress, Argentina remains on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of providing adequate assistance to victims and curbing official complicity with trafficking activity, especially on the provincial and local levels; the Argentine Congress has demonstrated progress by enacting much-needed and first-ever federal anti-trafficking legislation (2008) Illicit drugs: a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe, heroin headed for the US, and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine headed for Mexico; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals; increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers, especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Costa Rica a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Costa Rica Introduction Costa Rica Background: Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Geography Costa Rica Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 51,100 sq km land: 50,660 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Coastline: 1,290 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m Natural resources: hydropower Land use: arable land: 4.4% permanent crops: 5.87% other: 89.73% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,080 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 112.4 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.68 cu km/yr (29%/17%/53%) per capita: 619 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes Environment - current issues: deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 People Costa Rica Population: 4,253,877 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 581,916/female 555,216) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,443,606/female 1,411,168) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 120,969/female 141,002) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.5 years male: 27.1 years female: 28 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.356% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 17.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.58 years male: 74.96 years female: 80.34 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,700 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2008) Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican Ethnic groups: white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Languages: Spanish (official), English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.9% male: 94.7% female: 95.1% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005) Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2004) Government Costa Rica Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica Government type: democratic republic Capital: name: San Jose geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 7 November 1949 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President (vacant) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3% Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, PUN 1; note - as of 1 January 2009: seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 16, PML 5, PUSC 5, PASE 1, PFA 1, PRN 1, independent 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Epsy CAMPBELL Barr]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Marco NUNEZ Gonzalez]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO Fernandez]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Fabio Enrique DELGADO Hernandez]; National Union Party or PUN [Arturo ACOSTA Mora]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Jose Miguel CORRALES Bolanos]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis FISHMAN Zonzinski]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel] Political pressure groups and leaders: Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP [Rafael CARRILLO]; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP [Albino VARGAS]; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN] International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (temporarily closed), Washington, DC consulate(s): San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter CIANCHETTE embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 519-2000 FAX: [506] 519-2305 Flag description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA Economy Costa Rica Economy - overview: Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Exports have become more diversified in the past 10 years due to the growth of the high-tech manufacturing sector, which is dominated by the microprocessor industry and the production of medical devices. Tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the fiscal incentives offered in the free-trade zones. Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. Poverty has remained around 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of - mostly unskilled - labor, but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. Under the ARIAS administration, the government has made strides in reducing internal and external debt - in 2007, Costa Rica had its first budget surplus in 50 years. Reducing inflation remains a difficult problem because of rising commodity import prices and labor market rigidities, though lower oil prices will decrease upward pressures. The Central Bank is moving towards a more flexible exchange rate system to focus on inflation targeting by 2010. The US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force on 1 January 2009, after significant delays within the Costa Rican legislature. Nevertheless, economic growth has slowed in 2009 as the global downturn reduced export demand and invesment inflows. GDP (purchasing power parity): $49.73 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $30.38 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.6% industry: 29.1% services: 63.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.957 million note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 22% services: 64% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 16% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 37.4% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 23% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $4.604 billion expenditures: $4.552 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 38.4% of GDP (2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.9% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 17% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.8% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.504 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $2.87 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $12.91 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.035 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber Industries: microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Industrial production growth rate: -0.8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 8.918 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 7.779 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 77.16 million kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 203.2 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.5% hydro: 81.9% nuclear: 0% other: 16.6% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2004) Oil - consumption: 44,000 bbl/day (January 2009) Oil - exports: 2,115 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 43,110 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: NA Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$5.698 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $9.675 billion (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment Exports - partners: US 25.7%, China 14.1%, Netherlands 10.9%, UK 6.3%, Mexico 5% (2007) Imports: $15.37 billion (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials Imports - partners: US 41%, Mexico 6.1%, Venezuela 5.7%, Japan 5.4%, China 5.1%, Brazil 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $29.51 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.573 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $7.401 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $18.96 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $574 million (2008 est.) Currency (code): Costa Rican colon (CRC) Currency code: CRC Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 530.41 (2008 est.), 519.53 (2007), 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004) Communications Costa Rica Telephones - main lines in use: 1.437 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.503 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service; state-run monopoly provider is struggling with the demand for new lines, resulting in long waiting times domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: country code - 506; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable and the MAYA-1 submarine cable that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) Televisions: Internet country code: .cr Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (of which only one is legal) (2000) Internet users: 1.5 million (2007) Transportation Costa Rica Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 11 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 115 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 96 (2007) Pipelines: refined products 796 km (2008) Railways: total: 278 km narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge note: none of the railway network is in use (2007) Roadways: total: 35,330 km paved: 8,621 km unpaved: 26,709 km (2004) Waterways: 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 1 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Caldera, Puerto Limon Military Costa Rica Military branches: no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,134,205 females age 16-49: 1,095,763 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 971,224 females age 16-49: 936,978 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 40,698 female: 38,808 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Costa Rica Disputes - international: the ICJ has given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Río San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 9,699-11,500 (Colombia) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and girls from neighboring states, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines are trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation; Costa Rica also serves as a transit point for victims trafficked to North America and Europe; the government identifies child sex tourism as a serious problem; men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country for forced labor in fishing and construction, and as domestic servants tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Costa Rica is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in terms of its failure to improve its inadequate assistance to victims; while Costa Rican officials recognize human trafficking as a serious problem, the lack of a stronger response by the government is of concern (2008) Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Wallis and Futuna a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Wallis and Futuna Introduction Wallis and Futuna Background: The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but 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. Geography Wallis and Futuna Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 274 sq km land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; 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 C Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 7.14% permanent crops: 35.71% other: 57.15% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation (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 resources Geography - note: both island groups have fringing reefs People Wallis and Futuna Population: 15,289 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 2,141/female 1,935) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 5,069/female 5,065) 65 years and over: 7.1% (male 488/female 591) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.2 years male: 26.1 years female: 28.5 years Population growth rate: 0.347% (2009 est.) Birth rate: NA (2008 est.) Death rate: NA (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -6.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.2 years male: 75.22 years female: 81.32 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.87 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% Languages: Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.) Government Wallis and Futuna Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna Dependency status: overseas territory of France Government type: NA Capital: name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis Independence: none (overseas territory of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Administrator Philippe PAOLANTONI (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Pesamino TAPUTAI (since 11 April 2007) cabinet: 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 elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-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 assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 April 2007 (next to be held April 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 13, other 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 17 June 2007 (next to be held by 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - PS 1 Judicial branch: 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-Utu; a court of appeal is located in Noumea, New Caledonia Political parties and leaders: Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG; Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Socialist Party or PS; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: PIF (observer), SPC, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France) Flag description: unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is the only official flag Economy Wallis and Futuna Economy - overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings 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. GDP (purchasing power parity): $60 million (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (2004 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 5.6% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Agriculture - products: breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% Exports: $47,450 f.o.b. (2004) Exports - commodities: copra, chemicals, construction materials Imports: $61.17 million f.o.b. (2004) Imports - commodities: chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods Economic aid - recipient: assistance from France, $NA Debt - external: $3.67 million (2004) Currency (code): Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) Currency code: XPF Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 95.03 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) Communications Wallis and Futuna Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 681 Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: Televisions: NA Internet country code: .wf Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Wallis and Futuna Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Merchant marine: total: 8 by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 6 foreign-owned: 8 (France 6, French Polynesia 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Leava, Mata-Utu Military Wallis and Futuna Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,273 females age 16-49: 3,297 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 175 female: 164 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Wallis and Futuna Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Tokelau a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Tokelau Introduction Tokelau Background: Originally 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. Referenda held in 2006 and 2007 to change the status of the islands from that of a New Zealand territory to one of free association with New Zealand did not meet the needed threshold for approval. Geography Tokelau Location: Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt Environment - current issues: limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand Geography - note: consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level People Tokelau Population: 1,416 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.011% (2009 est.) Birth rate: NA (2008 est.) Death rate: NA (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Congregational 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 predominant Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English Literacy: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 10 years female: 11 years (2004) Education expenditures: NA Government Tokelau Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau Dependency status: self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand; a UN sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not produce the two-thirds majority vote necessary for changing the political status Government type: NA Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand) Independence: none (territory of New Zealand) National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970 Legal system: New Zealand and local statutes Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); New Zealand is represented by Administrator David PAYTON (since 17 October 2006) head of government: Pio TUIA (since 23 February 2008); note - position rotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders) cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet elections: 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 term Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (20 seats; based upon proportional representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; Atafu has seven seats, Fakaofo has seven seats, Nukunonu has six seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono elections: last held 17-19 January 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: independents 20 Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: PIF (observer), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used Economy Tokelau Economy - overview: Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public services with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.5 million (1993 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 (1993 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Budget: revenues: $430,800 expenditures: $2.8 million (1987 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats; fish Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Exports: Exports - commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts Imports: $969,200 c.i.f. (2002) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel Currency (code): New Zealand dollar (NZD) Currency code: NZD Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Communications Tokelau Telephones - main lines in use: Telephone system: general assessment: modern satellite-based communications system domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: country code - 690; radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok); satellite earth stations - 3 Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (one radio station provides service to all islands) (2002) Radios: Internet country code: .tk Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: NA Transportation Tokelau Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military Tokelau Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Transnational Issues Tokelau Disputes - international: Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft constitution This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Maldives a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Maldives Introduction Maldives Background: The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. Challenges facing the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. Geography Maldives Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 0.03 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987) Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean People Maldives Population: 396,334 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291) 15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.7 years male: 26.5 years female: 24.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.168% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 14.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 3.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.62 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.44 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.97 years male: 71.78 years female: 76.28 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 100 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 8% of GDP (2006) Government Maldives Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje Government type: republic Capital: name: Male geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Constitution: new constitution ratified 7 August 2008 Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75% Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held in early 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission Political parties and leaders: Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Ibrahim ISMAIL] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: various unregistered political parties International organization participation: ADB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194 FAX: [1] (212) 599-6195 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag Economy Maldives Economy - overview: Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% 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. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser 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 7% of GDP. 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. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 3.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly. The trade deficit has expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing and increasing employment are the major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level. Government spending on subsidies and civil servant salaries have created a large budget deficit and doubled inflation over the last year to 11% in June 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.746 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.296 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 7% services: 77% (2006 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (2003 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (June 2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $344.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $434.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.08 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish Industries: tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining Industrial production growth rate: -0.9% (2004 est.) Electricity - production: 230 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 203.7 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 5,490 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 1,499 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 5,362 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$472 million (2007) Exports: $167 million f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: fish Exports - partners: Thailand 28.3%, UK 17.6%, France 8.8%, Sri Lanka 8.6%, Algeria 8.2%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.1% (2007) Imports: $930 million f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods Imports - partners: Canada 35.2%, Singapore 15%, UAE 10.2%, India 7.4%, Malaysia 7.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $66.83 million (2005) Debt - external: $482 million (2006 est.) Currency (code): rufiyaa (MVR) Currency code: MVR Exchange rates: rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - NA (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003) Communications Maldives Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership approaching 90 per 100 persons domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .mv Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Maldives Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007) Roadways: total: 88 km paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006) Merchant marine: total: 29 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Male Military Maldives Military branches: Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Quick Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 89,505 females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 138,746 females age 16-49: 82,247 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,576 female: 3,942 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) Military - note: the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008) Transnational Issues Maldives Disputes - international: none Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Latvia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Latvia Introduction Latvia Background: The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia 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 joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Geography Latvia Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 64,589 sq km land: 63,589 sq km water: 1,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,382 km border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km Coastline: 498 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: low plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Galzina Kalns 312 m Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land Land use: arable land: 28.19% permanent crops: 0.45% other: 71.36% (2005) Irrigated land: 200 sq km note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (2003) Total renewable water resources: 49.9 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%) per capita: 108 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east People Latvia Population: 2,231,503 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.3% (male 152,472/female 145,161) 15-64 years: 69.6% (male 756,469/female 797,505) 65 years and over: 17% (male 124,432/female 255,464) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.1 years male: 37.1 years female: 43.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.614% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 13.63 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.15 years male: 66.98 years female: 77.59 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2008) Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian Ethnic groups: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002) Religions: Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006) Languages: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2004) Government Latvia Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Riga geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 26 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, Liepaja*, 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 Rajons Independence: 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: 15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since Legal system: based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens Executive branch: chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 May 2007 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL 16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 6.9%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party - TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6; note - seats by party as of January 2009 - TP 21, SC 18, ZZS 17, JL 14, LPP/LC 10, Civic Union 7, TB/LNNK 5, PCTVL 5, independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) Political parties and leaders: Civic Union [Sandra KALNIETE, Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS]; First Party of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS, Ivars GODMANIS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS, Tatjana ZDANOKA]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS, Janis URBANOVICS]; New Era Party or JL [Solvita ABOLTINA, Dzintars ZAKIS]; People's Party or TP [Mareks SEGLINS]; Society for Different Politics or SCP [Aigars STOKENBERGS; Artis PABRIKS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS], Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS] International organization participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Bruce ROGERS embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 670-36200 FAX: [371] 678-20047 Flag description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon Economy Latvia Economy - overview: Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07; but entered a recession as a result of unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the softening world economy. The IMF, EU, and other donors provided assistance to Latvia as part of a package to defend the currency's peg to the euro and reduce public spending by about 5% of GDP. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account deficit and inflation remain major concerns. GDP (purchasing power parity): $41.61 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $33.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $17,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.3% industry: 22.3% services: 74.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.169 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12.1% industry: 25.8% services: 61.8% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 29.1% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 30.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $12.33 billion expenditures: $12.84 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 17% of GDP (year-end 2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.8% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $6.148 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $4.815 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $30.49 billion (31 December 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.144 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish Industries: 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 and raw materials Industrial production growth rate: -3.2% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 4.734 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 6.424 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 1.676 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 4.671 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.1% hydro: 70.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 35,180 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 10,070 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 45,340 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.04 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.04 billion cu m (2007 est.) Current account balance: -$2.1 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $8.364 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Lithuania 15.1%, Estonia 13.8%, Russia 13%, Germany 8.3%, Sweden 7.4%, UK 6.5% (2007) Imports: $14.19 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles Imports - partners: Germany 15.1%, Lithuania 13.8%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 8%, Poland 6.9%, Finland 5.1%, Sweden 4.9% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $162 million (2004) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $43.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $11.21 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $879 million (2008 est.) Currency (code): lat (LVL) Currency code: LVL Exchange rates: lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.4701 (2008 est.), 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006), 0.5647 (2005), 0.5402 (2004) Communications Latvia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.217 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as wireless telephone service expands domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 62, shortwave 1 (2008) Radios: 1.76 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 37 (plus 31 repeaters) (2008) Televisions: 1.22 million (1997) Internet country code: .lv Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1.177 million (2007) Transportation Latvia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 9 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 20 (2007) Pipelines: gas 948 km; refined products 415 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,303 km broad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 69,675 km paved: 69,675 km (2006) Waterways: 300 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 22 by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Estonia 2) registered in other countries: 118 (Antigua and Barbuda 13, Belize 12, Cambodia 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Jamaica 1, Liberia 21, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 16, Panama 8, Russia 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17) (2008) Ports and terminals: Riga, Ventspils Military Latvia Military branches: National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Ground Forces, Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Border Guard, Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished January 2007; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 568,683 females age 16-49: 565,826 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 410,374 females age 16-49: 463,144 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 12,901 female: 12,497 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Latvia Disputes - international: Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia Illicit drugs: transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Cook Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Cook Islands Introduction Cook Islands Background: Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Geography Cook Islands Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 236.7 sq km land: 236.7 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March) Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km People Cook Islands Population: 11,870 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 1,704/female 1,508) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 3,898/female 3,664) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 540/female 556) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 30.5 years male: 29.8 years female: 31.1 years (2001 census) Population growth rate: -3.302% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 16.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: NA (2008 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.22 years male: 71.46 years female: 77.13 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Ethnic groups: Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census) Religions: Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005) Education expenditures: 0.2% of GDP (2001) People - note: 2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017 Government Cook Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) National holiday: Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Constitution: 4 August 1965 Legal system: based on New Zealand law and English common law Suffrage: NA years of age; universal (adult) Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Tia BARRETT (since December 2008), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1 Judicial branch: High Court Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes) other: various groups lobbying for political change International organization participation: ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag Economy Cook Islands Economy - overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing about one-third of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $183.2 million (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $183.2 million (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2005 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.1% industry: 9.6% services: 75.3% (2004) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $70.95 million expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2005 est.) Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry Industries: fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: Electricity - production: 30 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 27.9 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 464 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 476 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $26.67 million (2005) Exports: $5.222 million (2005) Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Imports: $81.04 million (2005) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods Economic aid - recipient: $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.) Currency (code): NZ dollar (NZD) Currency code: NZD Exchange rates: NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) Communications Cook Islands Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex domestic: individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) Televisions: Internet country code: .ck Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Cook Islands Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003) Merchant marine: total: 26 by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 17 (Latvia 1, Lithuania 1, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 5, Sweden 8) (2008) Ports and terminals: Avatiu Military Cook Islands Military branches: no regular military forces; National Police Department (2007) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,334 females age 16-49: 2,286 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 148 female: 125 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Transnational Issues Cook Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Algeria a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Algeria Introduction Algeria Background: After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 2006 merged with al-Qaida to form al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, which since has launched an ongoing series of kidnappings and bombings - including high-profile, mass-casualty suicide attacks targeted against the Algerian government and Western interests. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems. Geography Algeria Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,381,740 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,343 km border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km Coastline: 998 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m highest point: Tahat 3,003 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 3.17% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 96.55% (2005) Irrigated land: 5,690 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 14.3 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 6.07 cu km/yr (22%/13%/65%) per capita: 185 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season Environment - current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) People Algeria Population: 34,178,188 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 4,436,591/female 4,259,729) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 11,976,965/female 11,777,618) 65 years and over: 5.1% (male 798,576/female 928,709) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 26.6 years male: 26.3 years female: 26.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.196% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 17.03 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 4.62 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 65% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.02 years male: 72.35 years female: 75.77 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 21,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.9% male: 79.6% female: 60.1% (2002 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (1999) Government Algeria Country name: conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah local short form: Al Jaza'ir Government type: republic Capital: name: Algiers geographic coordinates: 36 45 N, 3 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France) National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) Constitution: 8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, 28 November 1996, 10 April 2002, and 12 November 2008 Legal system: socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 23 June 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; note - a November 2008 constitutional amendment abolished presidential term limits; election last held 8 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2009); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 85%, Ali BENFLIS 6.4%, Abdellah DJABALLAH 5% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or Al-Majlis Al-Shabi Al-Watani (389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote; to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three years) elections: National People's Assembly - last held 17 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 28 December 2006 (next to be held in 2009) election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26, RCD 19, FNA 13, other 49, independents 33; Council of Nations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 29, RND 12, MSP 3, RCD 1, independents 3, presidential appointees (unknown affiliation) 24; note - Council seating reflects the number of replaced council members rather than the whole Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Ahd 54 [Ali Fauzi REBAINE]; Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Mohamed BOULAHIA]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 Political pressure groups and leaders: The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Hocine ZEHOUANE]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR] International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah BAALI chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David D. PEARCE embassy: 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16000 Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers telephone: [213] 770-08-2000 FAX: [213] 21-60-7355 Flag description: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary note: the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion) Economy Algeria Economy - overview: The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 15th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt to less than 5% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance. GDP (purchasing power parity): $240.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $171.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $7,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.1% industry: 62.5% services: 29.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 9.44 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.9% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 24.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $73.26 billion expenditures: $51.19 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 13.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $55.43 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $28.59 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 33.12 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 26.91 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 300 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 382 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 2.173 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 279,800 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 1.844 million bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 13,110 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 85.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 26.3 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 59.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 4.502 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $35.8 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $75.06 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97% Exports - partners: US 29.4%, Italy 13.8%, Spain 9.6%, Canada 8.4%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 5% (2007) Imports: $36.87 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: France 18.7%, China 9%, Italy 8.5%, Spain 6%, US 5.5%, Germany 5.3%, Russia 4.6%, Turkey 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $370.6 million (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $150.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $2.913 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $14.11 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.162 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Algerian dinar (DZD) Currency code: DZD Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004) Communications Algeria Telephones - main lines in use: 3.068 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 27.563 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: a weak network of fixed-main lines, which remains low at less than 10 telephones per 100 persons, is partially offset by the rapid increase in mobile cellular subscribership; in 2007, combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density surpassed 90 telephones per 100 persons domestic: privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003 with approximately 200,000 subscribers in 2006 international: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999) Radios: 7.1 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 3.1 million (1997) Internet country code: .dz Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 3.5 million (2007) Transportation Algeria Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 52 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 98 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 44 under 914 m: 25 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 1,937 km; gas 14,648 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,933 km; oil 7,579 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,973 km standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 108,302 km paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,274 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 33 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 9, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 18 (Jordan 7, UK 11) (2008) Ports and terminals: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda Military Algeria Military branches: National Popular Army (ANP; includes Land Forces), Algerian National Navy (MRA), Air Force (QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2005) Military service age and obligation: 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,736,757 females age 16-49: 9,590,978 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,317,473 females age 16-49: 8,367,005 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 375,852 female: 362,158 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Algeria Disputes - international: Algeria, and many other states, rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) IDPs: undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Algeria is a transit country for men and women trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude; Algerian children are trafficked internally for the purpose of domestic servitude or street vending tier rating: Tier 3 - Algeria did not report any serious law enforcement actions to punish traffickers who force women into commercial sexual exploitation or men into involuntary servitude in 2007; the government again reported no investigations of trafficking of children for domestic servitude or improvements in protection services available to victims of trafficking; Algeria still lacks victim protection services, and its failure to distinguish between trafficking and illegal migration may result in the punishment of victims of trafficking (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- San Marino a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   San Marino Introduction San Marino Background: The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in A.D. 301. 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. Geography San Marino Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 61.2 sq km land: 61.2 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one third times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Terrain: rugged mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m Natural resources: building stone Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution Geography - note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines People San Marino Population: 30,324 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 2,636/female 2,451) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 9,539/female 10,428) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 2,273/female 2,997) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.5 years male: 41.1 years female: 41.9 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.148% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.74 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.37 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 10.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.97 years male: 78.53 years female: 85.72 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97% female: 95% Education expenditures: NA Government San Marino Country name: conventional long form: Republic of San Marino conventional short form: San Marino local long form: Repubblica di San Marino local short form: San Marino Government type: republic Capital: name: San Marino geographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle Independence: 3 September AD 301 National holiday: Founding of the Republic, 3 September (AD 301) Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Co-chiefs of State Captain Regent Ernesto BENEDETTINI and Captain Regent Assunta MELONI (for the period 1 October-31 March 2009) head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Antonella MULARONI (since 3 December 2008) cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term elections: co-chiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held in September 2008 (next to be held in April 2009); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held 9 November 2008 (next to be held by 2013) election results: Ernesto BENEDETTINI and Assunta MELONI elected captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; Antonella MULARONI elected 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 (co-chiefs 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 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some prime ministerial roles Legislative branch: unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 November 2008 (next to be held by June 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Pact for San Marino coalition 54.2%: PDCS 31.9%, AP 11.5%, Freedom List 6.3%, San Marino Union of Moderates 4.2%; Reforms and Freedom coalition 45.8%: Party of Socialists and Democrats 32%, United Left 8.6%, Democrats of the Center 4.9%; seats by party - Pact for San Marino coalition 35: PDCS 22, AP 7, the Freedom List 4, San Marino Union of Moderates 2; Reforms and Freedom coalition 25: Party of Socialists and Democrats 18, United Left 5, Democrats of the Center 2 Judicial branch: Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII Political parties and leaders: Christian Democrats or PDCS [Pasquale VALENTINI]; Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Democrats of the Center or DdC [Giovanni LONGERNINI]; Freedom List (including NPS and We Sammarinesi or NS [Gabriele GATTEI]; New Socialist Party or NPS [Augusto CASALI]; Party of Socialists and Democrats or PDS [Paride ANDREOLI]; Popular Alliance or AP [Carlo FRANCIOSI]; Union of Moderates (including National Alliance or ANS [Glcuco SANSOVINI] and San Marino Populars or pop [Romeo MORRI and Angela VENTURINI]; United Left of SU [Alessandro ROSSI] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paolo RONDELLI chancery: 888 27th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: 202-337-2260 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the ambassador to Italy is accredited to San Marino Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty) Economy San Marino Economy - overview: San Marino's economy relies heavily on its tourism and banking industries, as well as from the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The economy also benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. The San Marino government, sworn in on 3 December 2008, will continue to work towards an economic cooperation agreement with Italy - a longstanding priority - as well as harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU members. 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. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.662 billion (2007) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.048 billion (2004) GDP - real growth rate: 4.3% (2007 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 37.7% services: 62.2% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $690.6 million expenditures: $652.9 million (2006) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.58% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.326 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.584 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.513 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides Industries: tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine Industrial production growth rate: Exports: $4.628 billion (2007) Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics Imports: $3.744 billion (2007) Imports - commodities: wide variety of consumer manufactures, food Economic aid - recipient: $NA Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications San Marino Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: adequate connections domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 130 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 378; connected to Italian international network Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2008) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .sm Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation San Marino Roadways: total: 292 km paved: 292 km (2006) Military San Marino Military branches: no regular military forces; Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar) performs ceremonial duties and limited police support functions (2008) Military service age and obligation: 16-55 for voluntary service in Voluntary Military Force (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,613 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,343 females age 16-49: 6,048 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 161 female: 160 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Italy Transnational Issues San Marino Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- United Kingdom a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   United Kingdom Introduction United Kingdom Background: As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 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 and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. 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 the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process. Geography United Kingdom Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 54 00 N, 2 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 244,820 sq km land: 241,590 sq km water: 3,230 sq km note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km Coastline: 12,429 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: The Fens -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land Land use: arable land: 23.23% permanent crops: 0.2% other: 76.57% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 160.6 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 11.75 cu km/yr (22%/75%/3%) per capita: 197 cu m/yr (1994) Natural hazards: winter windstorms; floods Environment - current issues: continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target and move toward a domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government reduced the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and recycled or composted at least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015 Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters People United Kingdom Population: 61,113,205 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 5,233,756/female 4,986,131) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 20,774,192/female 20,246,519) 65 years and over: 16.2% (male 4,259,654/female 5,612,953) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.2 years male: 39.1 years female: 41.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.279% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 10.65 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.05 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 90% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.01 years male: 76.52 years female: 81.63 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 77,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural) adjective: British Ethnic groups: white (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census) Religions: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census) Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 5.6% of GDP (2005) Government United Kingdom Country name: conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales conventional short form: United Kingdom abbreviation: UK Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: London geographic coordinates: 51 30 N, 0 10 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its overseas dependencies or territories Administrative divisions: England: 34 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan counties, 46 unitary authorities two-tier counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Worcestershire London boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster metropolitan counties: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, City of Bristol, Darlington, Derby, East Riding of Yorkshire, Halton, Hartlepool, County of Herefordshire, Isle of Wight, City of Kingston upon Hull, Leicester, Luton, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Somerset, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Redcar and Cleveland, Rutland, Slough, South Gloucestershire, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Swindon, Telford and Wrekin, Thurrock, Torbay, Warrington, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, York Northern Ireland: 26 district council areas district council areas: Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Derry, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane Scotland: 32 unitary authorities unitary authorities: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), 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, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian Wales: 22 unitary authorities unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent; Bridgend; Caerphilly; Cardiff; Carmarthenshire; Ceredigion; Conwy; Denbighshire; Flintshire; Gwynedd; Isle of Anglesey; Merthyr Tydfil; Monmouthshire; Neath Port Talbot; Newport; Pembrokeshire; Powys; Rhondda, Cynon, Taff; Swansea; The Vale of Glamorgan; Torfaen; Wrexham Dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands Independence: England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join 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 1927 National holiday: the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: based on common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister James Gordon BROWN (since 27 June 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of House of Lords (618 seats; consisting of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers, and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier) elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain there; elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by June 2010) election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Labor 35.2%, Conservative 32.3%, Liberal Democrats 22%, other 10.5%; seats by party - Labor 355, Conservative 198, Liberal Democrat 62, other 31; seats by party in the House of Commons as of 21 November 2008 - Labor 350, Conservative 192, Liberal Democrat 63, Scottish National Party/Plaid Cymru 10, Democratic Unionist 9, Sinn Fein 5, other 17 note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Assembly (because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of 1999 and has been suspended four times, the latest occurring in October 2002 and lasting until 8 May 2007); in 1999, the UK held the first elections for a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly, the most recent of which were held in May 2007 Judicial branch: House 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 Justiciary Political parties and leaders: Conservative [David CAMERON]; Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Peter ROBINSON]; Labor Party [Gordon BROWN]; Liberal Democrats [Nick CLEGG]; Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Ieuan Wyn JONES]; Scottish National Party or SNP [Alex SALMOND]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS]; Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Mark DURKAN]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Sir Reg EMPEY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, C, CBSS (observer), CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sir Nigel E. SHEINWALD chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Denver, Orlando Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Holmes TUTTLE embassy: 24 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040 telephone: [44] (0) 20 7499-9000 FAX: [44] (0) 20 7629-9124 consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh Flag description: blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the 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, and British overseas territories Economy United Kingdom Economy - overview: The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quintet 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 less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005; energy industries now contribute about 4% to GDP. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. The global economic slowdown, tight credit, and falling home prices, however, pushed Britain back into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompted the BROWN government to implement a number of new measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include part-nationalizing the banking system, cutting taxes, suspending public sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward public spending on capital projects. The Bank of England periodically coordinates interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and opinion polls show a majority of Britons oppose joining the euro. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.281 trillion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.787 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $37,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.9% industry: 22.8% services: 76.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 31.2 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18.2% services: 80.4% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 14% (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 28.5% (1999) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 16.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.107 trillion expenditures: $1.242 trillion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 6 April - 5 April Public debt: 47.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.52% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: NA Stock of quasi money: NA Stock of domestic credit: $5.278 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $3.859 trillion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish Industries: 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, other consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: -0.1% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 371 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 348.5 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 3.398 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.613 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 73.8% hydro: 0.9% nuclear: 23.7% other: 1.6% (2001) Oil - production: NA Oil - consumption: 1.763 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 1.749 million bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 1.673 million bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 3.6 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 72.3 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 91.1 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 10.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 29.2 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 412 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$72.54 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $468.7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco Exports - partners: US 14.2%, Germany 11.1%, France 8.1%, Ireland 8%, Netherlands 6.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Spain 4.5%, Italy 4.1% (2007) Imports: $645.7 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs Imports - partners: Germany 14.2%, US 8.6%, China 7.3%, Netherlands 7.3%, France 6.9%, Belgium 4.7%, Norway 4.7%, Italy 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $12.46 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $57.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $10.45 trillion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.409 trillion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.841 trillion (2008 est.) Currency (code): British pound (GBP) Currency code: GBP Exchange rates: British pounds (GBP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) Communications United Kingdom Telephones - main lines in use: 33.682 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 71.992 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: technologically advanced domestic and international system domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems international: country code - 44; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; 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 centers Radio broadcast stations: AM 206, FM 696, shortwave 3 (2008) Radios: 84.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 30.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .uk Internet hosts: 8.269 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): more than 400 (2000) Internet users: 40.2 million (2007) Transportation United Kingdom Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 310 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 131 914 to 1,523 m: 79 under 914 m: 59 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 139 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 113 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 43 km; gas 7,541 km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil 699 km; refined products 4,417 km (2008) Railways: total: 16,567 km broad gauge: 303 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) standard gauge: 16,264 km 1.435-m gauge (5,361 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 398,366 km paved: 398,366 km (includes 3,520 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 3,200 km (620 km used for commerce) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 518 by type: bulk carrier 33, cargo 67, carrier 5, chemical tanker 61, container 180, liquefied gas 18, passenger 10, passenger/cargo 67, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 24, vehicle carrier 18 foreign-owned: 264 (Cyprus 2, Denmark 62, Finland 1, France 23, Germany 76, Hong Kong 2, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Japan 4, NZ 1, Norway 31, South Africa 3, Spain 1, Sweden 17, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 11, Turkey 2, UAE 9, US 12) registered in other countries: 391 (Algeria 11, Antigua and Barbuda 9, Argentina 4, Australia 5, Bahamas 56, Barbados 9, Belize 5, Bermuda 3, Brunei 1, Cape Verde 1, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 19, Gibraltar 2, Greece 32, Hong Kong 39, India 2, Italy 7, South Korea 1, Liberia 20, Luxembourg 8, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 18, Netherlands 2, Norway 5, Panama 59, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 14, Sierra Leone 2, Singapore 17, Slovakia 1, Spain 5, Sweden 2, Thailand 5, Tonga 1, US 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Dover, Felixstowe, Immingham, Liverpool, London, Southampton, Teesport (England), Forth Ports, Hound Point (Scotland), Milford Haven (Wales) Military United Kingdom Military branches: Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force Military service age and obligation: 16-33 years of age (officers 17-28) for voluntary military service (with parental consent under 18); women serve in military services, but are excluded from ground combat positions and some naval postings; must be citizen of the UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland; reservists serve a minimum of 3 years, to age 45 or 55; 16 years of age for voluntary military service by Nepalese citizens in the Brigade of the Gurkhas; 16-34 years of age for voluntary military service by Papua New Guinean citizens (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 14,729,500 females age 16-49: 14,125,600 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 12,123,900 females age 16-49: 11,616,769 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 393,892 female: 376,351 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues United Kingdom Disputes - international: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagossians reside in Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK citizenship, where some have since resettled; in May 2006, the High Court of London reversed the UK Government's 2004 orders of council that banned habitation on the islands; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Illicit drugs: producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Sao Tome and Principe a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Sao Tome and Principe Introduction Sao Tome and Principe Background: Discovered 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. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and two failed coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to attract increased attention to the small island nation. Geography Sao Tome and Principe Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001 sq km land: 1,001 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 209 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m Natural resources: fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 42.71% (2005) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous People Sao Tome and Principe Population: 212,679 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46.9% (male 50,475/female 49,188) 15-64 years: 49.7% (male 51,325/female 54,289) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,335/female 4,067) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.4 years male: 15.9 years female: 17 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 3.093% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 39.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 37.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.32 years male: 66.65 years female: 70.04 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean Ethnic groups: mestico, 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) Religions: Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census) Languages: Portuguese (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.9% male: 92.2% female: 77.9% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2006) Education expenditures: NA Government Sao Tome and Principe Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe Government type: republic Capital: name: Sao Tome geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995 Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Constitution: approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Joachim Rafael BRANCO (since 22 June 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 26 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, others 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [[Patrice TROVOADA]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Rafael BRANCO]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Delfim NEVES]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG other: the media International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ovidio Manuel Barbosa PEQUENO chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580 FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348 consulate(s): Atlanta Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands Flag description: 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 Economy Sao Tome and Principe Economy - overview: This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily 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, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. 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. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growth exceeded 6% in 2007, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $278.4 million (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $160 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.6% industry: 14.6% services: 70.8% (2008 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 54% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 36.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $47.65 million expenditures: $51.48 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 27% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 28% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 32.4% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $19.99 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $33.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $31.84 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber Industrial production growth rate: 9.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 18 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 16.74 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 660 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 660 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$71 million (2008 est.) Exports: $9 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil Exports - partners: Netherlands 23.7%, Belgium 23.7%, France 12.9%, US 5.9%, Portugal 4.1% (2007) Imports: $91 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products Imports - partners: Portugal 62.2%, US 11.6%, Gabon 4.5% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $31.9 million in December 2000 under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) program (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $45 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $318 million (2002) Currency (code): dobra (STD) Currency code: STD Exchange rates: dobras (STD) per US dollar - 14,900 (2008 est.), 13,700 (2007), 12,050 (2006), 9,900.4 (2005), 9,902.3 (2004) Communications Sao Tome and Principe Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 20 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .st Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Sao Tome and Principe Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 6 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 5 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Sao Tome Military Sao Tome and Principe Military branches: Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 42,340 females age 16-49: 43,781 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 35,216 females age 16-49: 38,329 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,534 female: 2,485 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2006) Military - note: Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005) Transnational Issues Sao Tome and Principe Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Sudan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Sudan Introduction Sudan Background: Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the remainder of the 20th century. These conflicts were rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. The first civil war ended in 1972 but broke out again in 1983. The second war and famine-related effects resulted in more than four million people displaced and, according to rebel estimates, more than two million deaths over a period of two decades. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-04 with the signing of several accords. The final North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in January 2005, granted the southern rebels autonomy for six years. After which, a referendum for independence is scheduled to be held. A separate conflict, which broke out in the western region of Darfur in 2003, has displaced nearly two million people and caused an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 deaths. The UN took command of the Darfur peacekeeping operation from the African Union on 31 December 2007. As of early 2009, peacekeeping troops were struggling to stabilize the situation, which has become increasingly regional in scope, and has brought instability to eastern Chad, and Sudanese incursions into the Central African Republic. Sudan also has faced large refugee influxes from neighboring countries, primarily Ethiopia and Chad. Armed conflict, poor transport infrastructure, and lack of government support have chronically obstructed the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations. Geography Sudan Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,505,810 sq km land: 2.376 million sq km water: 129,810 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 7,687 km border countries: Central 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 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by region (April to November) Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south, northeast and west; desert dominates the north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Red Sea 0 m highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower Land use: arable land: 6.78% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 93.05% (2005) Irrigated land: 18,630 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 154 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 37.32 cu km/yr (3%/1%/97%) per capita: 1,030 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: dust storms and periodic persistent droughts Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries People Sudan Population: 41,087,825 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.7% (male 8,535,551/female 8,173,616) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 11,745,683/female 11,603,906) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 532,968/female 496,101) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.1 years male: 18.9 years female: 19.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.143% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 34.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 13.64 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 82.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 82.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 82.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.42 years male: 50.49 years female: 52.4 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.48 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.4% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 320,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 25,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: Sudanese Ethnic groups: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25% Languages: Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages note: program of "Arabization" in process Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61.1% male: 71.8% female: 50.5% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 6% of GDP (1991) Government Sudan Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan conventional short form: Sudan local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan local short form: As-Sudan former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Government type: Government of National Unity (GNU) - the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed a power-sharing government under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); the NCP, which came to power by military coup in 1989, is the majority partner; the agreement stipulates national elections in 2009 Capital: name: Khartoum geographic coordinates: 15 36 N, 32 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 25 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil (Upper Nile), Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrat (Lakes), Al Jazirah (El Gezira), Al Khartum (Khartoum), Al Qadarif (Gedaref), Al Wahdah (Unity), An Nil al Abyad (White Nile), An Nil al Azraq (Blue Nile), Ash Shamaliyah (Northern), Bahr al Jabal (Bahr al Jebel), Gharb al Istiwa'iyah (Western Equatoria), Gharb Bahr al Ghazal (Western Bahr al Ghazal), Gharb Darfur (Western Darfur), Janub Darfur (Southern Darfur), Janub Kurdufan (Southern Kordofan), Junqali (Jonglei), Kassala (Kassala), Nahr an Nil (River Nile), Shamal Bahr al Ghazal (Northern Bahr al Ghazal), Shamal Darfur (Northern Darfur), Shamal Kurdufan (Northern Kordofan), Sharq al Istiwa'iyah (Eastern Equatoria), Sinnar (Sinnar), Warab (Warab) Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1956) Constitution: constitution implemented on 30 June 1998, partially suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIR; under the CPA, Interim National Constitution ratified 5 July 2005; Constitution of Southern Sudan signed December 2005 Legal system: based 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; however, the CPA establishes some protections for non-Muslims in Khartoum; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; the southern legal system is still developing under the CPA following the civil war; Islamic law will not apply to the southern states Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August 2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August 2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet elections: election last held 13-23 December 2000; next to be held no later than July 2009 under terms of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement election results: Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged; all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack of guarantees for a free and fair election note: al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and served concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister, and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointed president by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote for the first time in March 1996 Legislative branch: bicameral National Legislature consists of a Council of States (50 seats; members indirectly elected by state legislatures to serve six-year terms) and a National Assembly (450 seats; members presently appointed, but in the future 60% from geographic constituencies, 25% from a women's list, and 15% from party lists; to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 13-22 December 2000 (next to be held 2009) election results: NCP 355, others 5; note - replaced by appointments under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement Judicial branch: Constitutional Court of nine justices; National Supreme Court; National Courts of Appeal; other national courts; National Judicial Service Commission will undertake overall management of the National Judiciary Political parties and leaders: National Congress Party or NCP [Umar Hassan al-BASHIR]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Salva KIIR]; and elements of the National Democratic Alliance or NDA including factions of the Democratic Union Party [Muhammad Uthman al-MIRGHANI] and Umma Party [SADIQ Siddiq al-Mahdi]; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI] Political pressure groups and leaders: Umma Party [SADIQ Siddiq al-Mahdi]; Popular Congress Party or PCP [Hassan al-TURABI]; Darfur rebel groups including the Justice and Equality Movement or JEM [Khalil IBRAHIM] and the Sudan Liberation Movement or SLM [various factional leaders] International organization participation: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Akec Khoc ACIEW Khoc chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Alberto M. FERNANDEZ embassy: Sharia Ali Abdul Latif Street, Khartoum mailing address: P. O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829 telephone: [249](183)774700/701/702/703/704 FAX: [249] (183) 774137 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side Economy Sudan Economy - overview: Until the second half of 2008, Sudan's economy boomed on the back of increases in oil production, high oil prices, and large inflows of foreign direct investment. GDP growth registered more than 10% per year in 2006 and 2007. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been working with the IMF to implement macroeconomic reforms, including a managed float of the exchange rate. Sudan began exporting crude oil in the last quarter of 1999. Agricultural production remains important, because it employs 80% of the work force and contributes a third of GDP. The Darfur conflict, the aftermath of two decades of civil war in the south, the lack of basic infrastructure in large areas, and a reliance by much of the population on subsistence agriculture ensure much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years despite rapid rises in average per capita income. In January 2007, the government introduced a new currency, the Sudanese Pound, at an initial exchange rate of $1.00 equals 2 Sudanese Pounds. GDP (purchasing power parity): $88.95 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $62.19 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.9% industry: 31.2% services: 36% (2008 est.) Labor force: 7.415 million (1996 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 7% services: 13% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: 18.7% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 18.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $11.84 billion expenditures: $12.95 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 86.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.5% (2008 est.) Stock of money: $5.549 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.068 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $8.659 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock Industries: oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly Industrial production growth rate: -4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 4.037 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 3.398 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 52.1% hydro: 47.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 466,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 79,760 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 282,100 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 7,558 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 5 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 84.95 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$952 million (2008 est.) Exports: $13.62 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar Exports - partners: China 82.1%, Japan 8.4%, UAE 2.5% (2007) Imports: $7.757 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat Imports - partners: China 27.9%, Saudi Arabia 7.5%, India 6.3%, Egypt 5.6%, UAE 5.5%, Japan 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.829 billion (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.329 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $30.48 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): Sudanese pounds (SDG) Currency code: SDD Exchange rates: Sudanese pounds (SDG) per US dollar - 2.1 (2008 est.), 2.06 (2007), 2.172 (2006), 2.4361 (2005), 2.5791 (2004) note: in October 2007 Sudan redenominated its currency by transforming 100 units of Sudanese dinar into one unit of Sudanese pound Communications Sudan Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.464 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: well-equipped system by regional standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in 1996 and have expanded substantially with wide coverage of most major cities domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, fiber optic, radiotelephone communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 249; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2000) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 7.55 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 2.38 million (1997) Internet country code: .sd Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1.5 million (2007) Transportation Sudan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 85 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 27 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 156 km; oil 4,070 km; refined products 1,613 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,978 km narrow gauge: 4,578 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge for cotton plantations (2006) Roadways: total: 11,900 km paved: 4,320 km unpaved: 7,580 km (2000) Waterways: 4,068 km (1,723 km open year round on White and Blue Nile rivers) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 3 by type: cargo 2, carrier 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Port Sudan Military Sudan Military branches: Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Land Forces, Navy, Sudanese Air Force (Sikakh al-Jawwiya as-Sudaniya), Popular Defense Forces; Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA): Land Forces (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 9,639,923 females age 16-49: 9,321,106 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,836,971 females age 16-49: 5,942,043 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 498,376 female: 479,005 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Sudan Disputes - international: the effects of Sudan's almost constant ethnic and rebel militia fighting since the mid-20th century have penetrated all of the neighboring states; as of 2006, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda provided shelter for over half a million Sudanese refugees, which includes 240,000 Darfur residents driven from their homes by Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military forces; Sudan, in turn, hosted about 116,000 Eritreans, 20,000 Chadians, and smaller numbers of Ethiopians, Ugandans, Central Africans, and Congolese as refugees; in February 2006, Sudan and DROC signed an agreement to repatriate 13,300 Sudanese and 6,800 Congolese; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia proceed slowly due to civil and ethnic fighting in eastern Sudan; the boundary that separates Kenya and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times; while Sudan claims to administer the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel; both states withdrew their military presence in the 1990s, and Egypt has invested in and effectively administers the area; periodic violent skirmishes with Sudanese residents over water and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 157,220 (Eritrea); 25,023 (Chad); 11,009 (Ethiopia); 7,895 (Uganda); 5,023 (Central African Republic) IDPs: 5.3 - 6.2 million (civil war 1983-2005; ongoing conflict in Darfur region) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Sudan is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked internally for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; Sudan is also a transit and destination country for Ethiopian women trafficked abroad for domestic servitude; Sudanese women and girls are trafficked within the country, as well as possibly to Middle Eastern countries for domestic servitude; the terrorist rebel organization, Lord's Resistance Army, continues to harbor small numbers of Sudanese and Ugandan children in the southern part of the country for use as cooks, porters, and combatants; some of these children are also trafficked across borders into Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo; militia groups in Darfur, some of which are linked to the government, abduct women for short periods of forced labor and to perpetrate sexual violence; during the two decades-long north-south civil war, thousands of Dinka women and children were abducted and subsequently enslaved by members of the Missiriya and Rezeigat tribes; while there have been no known new abductions of Dinka by members of Baggara tribes in the last few years, inter-tribal abductions continue in southern Sudan tier rating: Tier 3 - Sudan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; combating human trafficking through law enforcement or prevention measures was not a priority for the government in 2007 (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Angola a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Angola Introduction Angola Background: Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008, and announced plans to hold presidential elections in 2009. Geography Angola Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km Coastline: 1,600 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium Land use: arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005) Irrigated land: 800 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 184 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%) per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau Environment - current issues: overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo People Angola Population: 12,799,293 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.095% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 44.09 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 24.44 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 38.2 years male: 37.24 years female: 39.22 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 190,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2008) Nationality: noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan Ethnic groups: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.) Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.4% male: 82.9% female: 54.2% (2001 est.) Education expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2005) Government Angola Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime Capital: name: Luanda geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975) Constitution: adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held in September 2009) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [Ngola KABANGU]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party) [Isaias SAMAKUVA]; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA (ruling party in power since 1975) [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS]; Social Renewal Party or PRS [Eduardo KUANGANA] note: nine other parties participated in the legislative election in September but won no seats Political pressure groups and leaders: Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006 International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKITE chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dan MOZENA embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: US Embassy Luanda, US Department of State, 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000 FAX: [244] (222) 64-1232 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle) Economy Angola Economy - overview: Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola. GDP (purchasing power parity): $114.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $95.95 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 15.1% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.2% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2005 est.) Labor force: 7.288 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 85% industry and services: 15% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 9% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $27.18 billion expenditures: $20.6 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 8.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 19.57% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 17.7% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.153 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $7.216 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.385 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 12% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 3.513 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 3.084 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 1.91 million bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 55,640 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 1.23 million bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 19,550 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 9.035 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 680 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 680 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $21.01 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $72.58 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton Exports - partners: US 32.1%, China 32%, France 5.9%, Taiwan 5.3%, South Africa 4.5% (2007) Imports: $15.25 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods Imports - partners: Portugal 19.7%, US 10.9%, China 10.5%, Brazil 10.3%, South Africa 6.6%, France 6.3%, UK 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $441.8 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $24.64 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $7.907 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $19.49 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $227 million (2006 est.) Currency (code): kwanza (AOA) Currency code: AOA Exchange rates: kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004) Communications Angola Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.307 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 25 telephones per 100 persons in 2007 domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001 international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .ao Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Angola Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 31 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 201 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 69 (2007) Pipelines: gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001) Waterways: 1,300 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 6 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1) registered in other countries: 6 (Bahamas 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe Military Angola Military branches: Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,856,492 females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,467,833 females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 146,738 female: 143,478 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.7% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Angola Disputes - international: Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007) Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Belize a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Belize Introduction Belize Background: Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS. Geography Belize Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3.05% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.56% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 18.6 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%) per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean People Belize Population: 307,899 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.9% (male 59,462/female 57,117) 15-64 years: 58.6% (male 91,298/female 89,170) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,185/female 5,667) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.4 years male: 20.3 years female: 20.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.154% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 27.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.2 years male: 66.44 years female: 70.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.36 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,600 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Ethnic groups: mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000) Languages: Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.9% male: 76.7% female: 77.1% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2004) Government Belize Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution: 21 September 1981 Legal system: English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6 Judicial branch: Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction); Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Gustavo PERERA]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ] International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. DIETER embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize telephone: [501] 822-4011 FAX: [501] 822-4012 Flag description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland Economy Belize Economy - overview: In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, though growth slipped below 3% in 2008 as a result of the global slowdown. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered the economic growth. Exploration efforts continue though no new production is expected in 2009. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and unsustainable foreign debt equivalent to nearly 90% of GDP. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which will reduce interest payments and relieve liquidity concerns. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.574 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.383 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 16.9% services: 54.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2006 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 19.5% industry: 17.9% services: 61.9% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: 33.5% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 24.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $335.5 million expenditures: $361.5 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 12% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.33% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $323.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $549 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $877.6 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 213.5 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 193.3 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 59.9% hydro: 40.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 3,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 7,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 1,960 bbl/day (2006) Oil - imports: 7,122 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: NA Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$32 million (2008 est.) Exports: $496 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood Exports - partners: US 28.7%, UK 16.3%, Thailand 5.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.4%, Finland 4.2%, Spain 4% (2007) Imports: $718 million f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco Imports - partners: US 31.2%, Mexico 13.6%, Cuba 8.5%, Guatemala 8%, Russia 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $12.91 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $117 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.2 billion (June 2005 est.) Currency (code): Belizean dollar (BZD) Currency code: BZD Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2008 est.), 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004) Communications Belize Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: above-average system; fixed-line teledensity of 12 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 40 per 100 persons domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .bz Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Belize Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 27 (2007) Roadways: total: 3,007 km paved: 575 km unpaved: 2,432 km (2006) Waterways: 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 216 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 32, cargo 152, chemical tanker 2, container 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 178 (Australia 1, China 71, Croatia 2, Cyprus 1, Estonia 6, Greece 1, Iceland 2, Italy 3, Japan 8, South Korea 1, Latvia 12, Norway 3, Peru 1, Russia 31, Singapore 2, Spain 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 7, UAE 5, UK 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Belize City, Big Creek Military Belize Military branches: Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing, BDF Volunteer Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 74,605 females age 16-49: 72,926 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 56,135 females age 16-49: 54,732 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 3,632 female: 3,500 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Belize Disputes - international: OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures saw cooperation in repatriation of Guatemalan squatters and other areas, but Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea remain unresolved; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Honduras claims Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays in its constitution but agreed to a joint ecological park under the Differendum Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Belarus a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Belarus Introduction Belarus Background: After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place. Geography Belarus Location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 28 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 207,600 sq km land: 207,600 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: total: 3,306 km border countries: Latvia 171 km, Lithuania 680 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland Elevation extremes: lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m Natural resources: forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay Land use: arable land: 26.77% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 72.63% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,310 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 58 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.79 cu km/yr (23%/47%/30%) per capita: 286 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes People Belarus Population: 9,648,533 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 707,550/female 667,560) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 3,337,253/female 3,540,916) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 446,746/female 948,508) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 38.6 years male: 35.6 years female: 41.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.378% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 13.92 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.63 years male: 64.95 years female: 76.67 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Belarusian(s) adjective: Belarusian Ethnic groups: Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census) Religions: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Languages: Belarusian, Russian, other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.8% female: 99.4% (1999 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.1% of GDP (2006) Government Belarus Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Belarus conventional short form: Belarus local long form: Respublika Byelarus' local short form: Byelarus' former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship Capital: name: Minsk geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk, Vitsyebsk note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers Independence: 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: 15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing presidential term limits Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sergey SIDORSKIY (since 19 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since December 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held 9 September 2001; an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed the president to run in a third election, which was held on 19 March 2006; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 82.6%, Aleksandr MILINKEVICH 6%, Aleksandr KOZULIN 2.3%; note - election marred by electoral fraud Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and eight members appointed by the president, to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Palata Predstaviteley - last held 28 September and 3 October 2008 (next to be held fall of 2012); international observers determined that despite minor improvements the election ultimately fell short of democratic standards; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won every seat election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives) Political parties and leaders: pro-government parties: Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Communist Party of Belarus or KPB; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Nikolay ULAKHOVICH, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party [Sergey GAYDUKEVICH]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice [Viktor SOKOLOV]; Social-Sports Party [Vladimir ALEXANDROVICH] opposition parties: Belarusian Christian Democracy Party (unregistered) [Pavel SEVERINETS]; Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB [Sergey KALYAKIN]; Belarusian Party of Labor (unregistered) [Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV, Leonid LEMESHONAK]; Belarusian Popular Front or BPF [Levon BARSHCHEVSKIY]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Gramada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH]; Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada (People's Assembly) or BSDPH [Anatoliy LEVKOVICH]; European Coalition [Nikolay STATKEVICH]; Green Party [Oleg GROMYKO]; Party of Freedom and Progress (unregistered) [Vladimir NOVOSYAD]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatoliy LEBEDKO]; Women's Party Hope (Nadezhda) [Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson] other opposition includes: Christian Conservative BPF [Zyanon PAZNIAK]; Ecological Party of Greens [Mikhail KARTASH]; Party of Popular Accord [Sergey YERMAKK]; Republican Party [Vladimir BELAZOR] Political pressure groups and leaders: Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs [Sergey MATSKEVICH]; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Aleksandr YAROSHUK]; Belarusian Helsinki Committee [Tatiana PROTKO]; Belarusian Organization of Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; BPF-Youth [Franak VYACHORKA]; Charter 97 [Andrey SANNIKOV]; For Freedom [Aleksandr MILINKEVICH]; Lenin Communist Union of Youth (youth wing of the Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB); National Strike Committee of Entrepreneurs [Aleksandr VASILYEV, Valery LEVONEVSKY]; Partnership NGO [Nikolay ASTREYKA]; Perspektiva kiosk watchdog NGO [Anatol SHUMCHENKO]; Vyasna [Ales BYALATSKY]; Women's Independent Democratic Movement [Ludmila PETINA]; Young Belarus (Malady Belarus) [Artur FINKEVICH]; Youth Front (Malady Front) [Dmitriy DASHKEVICH]; Zubr youth group [Vladimir KOBETS] International organization participation: BSEC (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Oleg KRAVCHENKO chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jonathan MOORE embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002 mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347, 217-7348 FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853 Flag description: red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red Economy Belarus Economy - overview: Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. Since 2005, the government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive economic policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting foreign investment. Nevertheless, government statistics indicate GDP growth has been strong in recent years, reaching more than 8% in 2008, despite the roadblocks of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high rate of inflation. Belarus receives discounted oil and natural gas from Russia and much of Belarus' growth can be attributed to the re-export of Russian oil at market prices. Trade with Russia - by far its largest single trade partner - decreased in 2007-08, largely as a result of a change in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected. Russia has introduced an export duty on oil shipped to Belarus, which will increase gradually through 2009, and a requirement that Belarusian duties on re-exported Russian oil be shared with Russia - 80% was slated to go to Russia in 2008, and 85% in 2009. Russia also increased Belarusian natural gas prices from $47 per thousand cubic meters (tcm) to $100 per tcm in 2007, and increased to $128 per tcm in 2008, and plans to increase prices gradually to world levels by 2011. Russia's recent policy of bringing energy prices for Belarus to world market levels may result in a slowdown in economic growth in Belarus over the next few years. Some policy measures, including improving energy efficiency and diversifying exports, have been introduced, but external borrowing has been the main mechanism used to manage the growing pressures on the economy. Belarus felt the effects of the global financial crisis in late 2008 and reached agreement with Russia in November for a $2 billion stabilization loan and with the IMF for a $2.5 billion stand-by agreement in January 2009. In line with IMF conditionality, Belarus devalued the ruble approximately 20% in January and has tightened some fiscal and monetary policies. Belarus's economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as it faces decreasing demand for its exports, and will find it difficult to increase external borrowing if the credit markets continue to tighten. GDP (purchasing power parity): $116.7 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $57.68 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 8.1% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,000 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.4% industry: 41.5% services: 50.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.3 million (31 December 2005) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14% industry: 34.7% services: 51.3% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.6% officially registered unemployed; large number of underemployed workers (2005) Population below poverty line: 27.1% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 23.5% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 31.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $25.23 billion expenditures: $26.05 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 10% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.58% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $4.065 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $6.823 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $12.16 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators Industrial production growth rate: 11.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 29.91 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 30.43 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 5.789 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 10.15 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001) Oil - production: 33,700 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 179,700 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 256,400 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 394,100 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 198 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 164 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 21.76 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 21.6 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$3.832 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $31.81 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs Exports - partners: Russia 36.5%, Netherlands 17.8%, UK 6.3%, Ukraine 6.1%, Poland 5%, Latvia 4.1% (2007) Imports: $36.64 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals Imports - partners: Russia 59.9%, Germany 7.6%, Ukraine 5.4% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $53.76 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.775 billion (November 2008 est.) Debt - external: $9.127 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) Currency code: BYB/BYR Exchange rates: Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 2,130 (2008 est.), 2,145 (2007), 2,144.6 (2006), 2,150 (2005), 2,160.26 (2004) Communications Belarus Telephones - main lines in use: 3.672 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.96 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure; state-owned Beltelcom is the sole provider of fixed-line local and long distance service; fixed-line teledensity of roughly 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 70 per 100 persons; modernization of the network progressing with roughly two-thirds of switching equipment now digital domestic: fixed-line penetration is improving although rural areas continue to be underserved; 3 GSM wireless networks are experiencing rapid growth; strict government controls on telecommunications technologies international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998) Radios: 3.02 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 2.52 million (1997) Internet country code: .by Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 6 million (2007) Transportation Belarus Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 27 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,512 km broad gauge: 5,497 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified) standard gauge: 15 km 1.435 m (2006) Roadways: total: 94,797 km paved: 84,028 km unpaved: 10,769 km (2005) Waterways: 2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003) Ports and terminals: Mazyr Military Belarus Military branches: Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,491,643 females age 16-49: 2,528,779 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,720,049 females age 16-49: 2,069,898 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 60,009 female: 56,834 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Belarus Disputes - international: Boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania in 2006; 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border security Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards and was weakened further when know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Finland a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Finland Introduction Finland Background: Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. Geography Finland Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 338,145 sq km land: 304,473 sq km water: 33,672 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 2,654 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km Coastline: 1,250 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m Natural resources: timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone Land use: arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005) Irrigated land: 640 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 110 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 2.33 cu km/yr (14%/84%/3%) per capita: 444 cu m/yr (1999) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain People Finland Population: 5,250,275 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.4% (male 438,425/female 422,777) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,773,495/female 1,732,792) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 357,811/female 524,975) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.1 years male: 40.5 years female: 43.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.098% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 10.39 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.97 years male: 75.48 years female: 82.61 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Ethnic groups: Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.6%, Russian 0.5%, Estonian 0.3%, Roma (Gypsy) 0.1%, Sami 0.1% (2006) Religions: Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006) Languages: Finnish 91.5% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2006) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.4% of GDP (2005) Government Finland Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland local short form: Suomi/Finland Government type: republic Capital: name: Helsinki geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaan Laani (Aland), Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lapin Laani (Lapland), Oulun Laani Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Russia) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Constitution: 1 March 2000 Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17 April 2007 election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti Vanhanen (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN reelected prime minister; election results 121-71 note: government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative); National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI] International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTU chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara BARRETT embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 616250 FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800 Flag description: white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Finland Economy - overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important; Finland's ratio of foreign trade to GDP has risen from a quarter to nearly 45% over the past 15 years. Finland excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Although Finland has been one of the best performing economies within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets have avoided the worst of global financial crisis, the world slowdown has hit export growth and domestic demand and will serve as a brake on economic growth in 2009 and 2010. The slowdown of construction, other investment, and exports will cause unemployment to rise. During 2009, unemployment will climb to over 8% of the labor force. Long-term challenges include the need to address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth. GDP (purchasing power parity): $201.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $281.2 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,400 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 33.2% services: 64% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.53 million (2008) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 4.5%, industry 18.3%, construction 7.3%, commerce 16%, finance, insurance, and business services 14.5%, transport and communications 7%, public services 32.4% (2008) Unemployment rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 24.7% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 20.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $66.48 billion expenditures: $65.3 billion (2008) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 33% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (2008 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.04% (December 2008) Stock of money: NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: NA Stock of domestic credit: $240.7 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $369.2 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish Industries: metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 74.1 billion kWh (2008) Electricity - consumption: 86.9 billion kWh (2008) Electricity - exports: 3.2 billion kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 16 billion kWh (2008) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 39% hydro: 18.7% nuclear: 30.4% other: 11.8% (2001) Oil - production: 8,951 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 217,500 bbl/day (2008) Oil - exports: 124,300 bbl/day (2007) Oil - imports: 331,200 bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: NA bbl Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.268 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 4.576 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006) Current account balance: $10.29 billion (2008) Exports: $104.3 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: electrical and optical equipment, machinery, transport equipment, paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; timber Exports - partners: Germany 10.9%, Sweden 10.7%, Russia 10.3%, US 6.4%, UK 5.8%, Netherlands 5.6% (2007) Imports: $93.28 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains Imports - partners: Germany 15.8%, Russia 14%, Sweden 13.7%, Netherlands 6.8%, China 5.5%, UK 4.9% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $1.023 billion (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $271.2 billion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $94.57 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $121.9 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6799 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications Finland Telephones - main lines in use: 1.74 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 6.08 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive cellular network provide domestic needs international: country code - 358; submarine cables provide links to Estonia and Sweden; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 59, shortwave 2 (2008) Radios: 7.7 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999); note - On 1 September 2007, Finland began broadcasting all television signals digitally; analogue broadcasts via cable networks were discontinued 29 February 2008 Televisions: 3.2 million (1997) Internet country code: .fi; note - Aland Islands assigned .ax Internet hosts: 3.877 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 3.6 million (2007) Transportation Finland Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 76 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 15 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 68 (2007) Pipelines: gas 694 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,741 km broad gauge: 5,741 km 1.524-m gauge (2,619 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 78,821 km paved: 50,854 km (includes 700 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,967 km (2008) Waterways: 7,842 km note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia (2008) Merchant marine: total: 98 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 28, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, container 3, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 27, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Estonia 2, Germany 1, Norway 3, Sweden 2) registered in other countries: 47 (Bahamas 9, Germany 4, Gibraltar 3, Netherlands 14, Norway 1, Panama 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sweden 12, UK 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku Military Finland Military branches: Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense Forces), Air Force (Suomen Ilmavoimat) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for male voluntary and compulsory national military and nonmilitary service; service obligation 6-12 months (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,169,910 females age 16-49: 1,121,187 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 962,479 females age 16-49: 920,297 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 33,784 female: 32,621 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Finland Disputes - international: various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Timor-Leste a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Timor-Leste Introduction Timor-Leste Background: The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late September 1999, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999 the Australian-led peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In late April 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a near breakdown of law and order in Dili. At the request of the Government of Timor-Leste, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste in late May. In August, the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing the Government of Timor-Leste to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in April and June 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack and the majority of the rebels surrendered to the government in April 2008. Geography Timor-Leste Location: Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco Geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 125 55 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 15,007 sq km land: NA sq km water: NA sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km Coastline: 706 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons Terrain: mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m Natural resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble Land use: arable land: 8.2% permanent crops: 4.57% other: 87.23% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,065 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones Environment - current issues: widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Desertification Geography - note: Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands People Timor-Leste Population: note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.7% (male 199,237/female 192,900) 15-64 years: 61.9% (male 356,772/female 344,103) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 18,403/female 20,197) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 21.8 years male: 21.8 years female: 21.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.027% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 26.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 40.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 46.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.27 years male: 64.92 years female: 69.75 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.28 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese Ethnic groups: Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005) Languages: Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: NA female: NA (2002) Education expenditures: NA Government Timor-Leste Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conventional short form: Timor-Leste local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor Government type: republic Capital: name: Dili geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque Independence: 28 November 1975 (independence proclaimed from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1975) Constitution: 22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model) Legal system: UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place but is to be replaced by civil and penal codes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Vice Prime Minister Mario Viegas CARRASCALAO (since 5 March 2009); Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8% Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary from 52 to 65; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 30 June 2007 (next elections due by June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 29%, CNRT 24.1%, ASDT-PSD 15.8%, PD 11.3%, PUN 4.5%, KOTA-PPT (Democratic Alliance) 3.2%, UNDERTIM 3.2%, others 8.9%; seats by party - FRETILIN 21, CNRT 18, ASDT-PSD 11, PD 8, PUN 3, KOTA-PPT 2, UNDERTIM 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established, Court of Appeals is highest court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Xanana GUSMAO]; National Democratic Union of Timorese Resistance or UNDERTIM [Cornelio DA Conceicao GAMA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Fernanda BORGES]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]; Social Democratic Association of Timor or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Zacarias Albano da COSTA]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors or KOTA [Manuel TILMAN] (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, ARF, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jorge CAMEO chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504,Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684 FAX: (670) 331-3206 Flag description: red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle Economy Timor-Leste Economy - overview: In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of Timor-Leste was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias. Three hundred thousand people fled westward. Over the next three years a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By the end of 2005, refugees had returned or had settled in Indonesia. The country continues to face great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of oil and gas resources in offshore waters has begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule and above expectations. The technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs for the unemployed because there are no production facilities in Timor. Gas is piped to Australia. In June 2005 the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of US$3.9 billion as of October 2008. The economy is recovering from the mid-2006 outbreak of violence and civil unrest, which disrupted both private and public sector economic activity. The government in 2008 resettled tens of thousands of an estimated 100,000 internally displaced persons. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.76 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $489 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.2% industry: 12.8% services: 55% (2005) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90% industry: NA% services: NA% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% in rural areas, rising to more than 40% among urban youth (2006 est.) Population below poverty line: 42% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Distribution of family income - Gini index: 38 (2002 est.) Budget: revenues: $733 million expenditures: $309 million note: the government in 2008 moved to a fiscal year calendar; it passed a supplementary spending package to cover the latter half of 2008 (FY06/07 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15.05% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $74.94 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $68.78 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla Industries: printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth Industrial production growth rate: 8.5% (2004 est.) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 78,480 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: NA (2006 est.) Oil - proved reserves: Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $1.161 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $10 million; note - excludes oil (2005 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - potential for oil and vanilla exports Imports: $202 million (2004 est.) Imports - commodities: food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery Economic aid - recipient: $184.7 million (2005 est.) Currency (code): US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications Timor-Leste Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: rudimentary service limited to urban areas domestic: system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; extremely limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services and coverage limited primarily to urban areas international: country code - 670; international service is available in major urban centers Radio broadcast stations: at least 21 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster and 20 community and church radio stations - frequency type NA) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .tl Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: Transportation Timor-Leste Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: total: 6,040 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: 3,440 km (2005) Merchant marine: total: 1 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Dili Military Timor-Leste Military branches: Timor-Leste Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (FDTL)): Army, Navy (Armada) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 284,903 females age 16-49: 272,212 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 230,534 females age 16-49: 238,610 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 12,887 female: 12,529 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues Timor-Leste Disputes - international: Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with Australian claims in the south; many refugees who left Timor-Leste in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; Australia and Timor-Leste agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 100,000 (2007) Illicit drugs: NA This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Bahamas, The a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Bahamas, The Introduction Bahamas, The Background: Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Geography Bahamas, The Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 13,940 sq km land: 10,070 sq km water: 3,870 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,542 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 0.58% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 99.13% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage Environment - current issues: coral reef decay; solid waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited People Bahamas, The Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.9% (male 40,085/female 39,959) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 102,154/female 105,482) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 8,772/female 12,704) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 28.7 years male: 27.9 years female: 29.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.536% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 17.06 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.22 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -2.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.78 years male: 62.63 years female: 68.98 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,200 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Ethnic groups: black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% Religions: Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census) Languages: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2000) Government Bahamas, The Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Nassau geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 July (1973) Constitution: 10 July 1973 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Arthur D. HANNA (since 1 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 4 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the Parliament and call elections at any time elections: last held 2 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%; seats by party - FNM 23, PLP 18 Judicial branch: Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; Magistrates' Courts Political parties and leaders: Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Friends of the Environment other: trade unions International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cornelius A. SMITH chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ned L. SIEGEL embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 328-2206 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side Economy Bahamas, The Economy - overview: The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but tourist arrivals have been on the decline since 2006 and will likely drop even further in 2009. Tourism, in turn, depends on growth in the US, the source of more than 80% of the visitors. To help offset the effect of the global economic downturn, particularly on employment, the INGRAHAM administration plans to engage in infrastructure projects. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy and, when combined with business services, account for about 36% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when the government enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many international businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector. GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.189 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $6.935 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $29,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (2001 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5%, industry 5%, tourism 50%, other services 40% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2006 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: 27% (2000) Budget: revenues: $1.03 billion expenditures: $1.03 billion (FY04/05) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.5% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.274 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.324 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $7.395 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: citrus, vegetables; poultry Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 2.05 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.793 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 26,830 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: transshipments of 38,740 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 69,780 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$1.442 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $674 million (2006) Exports - commodities: mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables Exports - partners: US 20.4%, Singapore 15.5%, Spain 14.5%, Poland 14.3%, Germany 6.6%, Guatemala 5.7%, Switzerland 5.2% (2007) Imports: $2.401 billion (2006) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals Imports - partners: US 26.7%, South Korea 14.1%, Japan 13.5%, Italy 7.5%, Singapore 5.2%, Venezuela 4.5%, Spain 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $4.78 million (2004) Debt - external: $342.6 million (2004 est.) Currency (code): Bahamian dollar (BSD) Currency code: BSD Exchange rates: Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) Communications Bahamas, The Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: modern facilities domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links 14 of the islands and is designed to satisfy increasing demand for voice and broadband internet services international: country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2006) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .bs Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Bahamas, The Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 22 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: total: 2,717 km paved: 1,560 km unpaved: 1,133 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 1,223 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 210, cargo 226, carrier 2, chemical tanker 88, combination ore/oil 12, container 65, liquefied gas 77, passenger 109, passenger/cargo 35, petroleum tanker 209, refrigerated cargo 119, roll on/roll off 16, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 51 foreign-owned: 1,150 (Angola 6, Belgium 15, Bermuda 12, Brazil 2, Canada 84, China 10, Croatia 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 25, Denmark 67, Finland 9, France 30, Germany 44, Greece 209, Hong Kong 30, Iceland 1, Indonesia 2, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 1, Italy 4, Japan 87, Jordan 2, Kenya 1, Malaysia 13, Monaco 15, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 9, Nigeria 2, Norway 189, Poland 17, Russia 4, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 17, Slovenia 1, South Africa 1, Spain 14, Sweden 4, Switzerland 1, Thailand 5, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Turkey 8, UAE 23, UK 56, US 106, Venezuela 1) registered in other countries: 12 (Bolivia 1, Panama 9, Peru 1, Portugal 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point Military Bahamas, The Military branches: Royal Bahamian Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 80,200 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 50,764 females age 16-49: 51,690 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 2,992 female: 3,003 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Bahamas, The Disputes - international: disagrees with the US on the alignment the northern axis of a potential maritime boundary; continues to monitor and interdict drug dealers and Haitian and Cuban refugees in Bahamian waters Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Kyrgyzstan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Kyrgyzstan Introduction Kyrgyzstan Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. The political opposition organized demonstrations in Bishkek in April, May, and November 2006 resulting in the adoption of a new constitution that transferred some of the president's powers to parliament and the government. In December 2006, the Kyrgyzstani parliament voted to adopt new amendments, restoring some of the presidential powers lost in the November 2006 constitutional change. By late-September 2007, both previous versions of the constitution were declared illegal, and the country reverted to the AKAEV-era 2003 constitution, which was subsequently modified in a flawed referendum initiated by BAKIEV. The president then dissolved parliament, called for early elections, and gained control of the new parliament through his newly-created political party, Ak Jol, in December 2007 elections. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, negative trends in democracy and political freedoms, reduction of corruption, improving interethnic relations, electricity generation, rising food prices, and combating terrorism. Geography Kyrgyzstan Location: Central Asia, west of China Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 198,500 sq km land: 191,300 sq km water: 7,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: total: 3,051 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m Natural resources: abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc Land use: arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005) Irrigated land: 10,720 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 46.5 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%) per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water 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 practices Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes People Kyrgyzstan Population: 5,431,747 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.4 years male: 23.6 years female: 25.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.396% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 23.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.97 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -2.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 31.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.43 years male: 65.43 years female: 73.64 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,200 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census) Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5% Languages: Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (1999 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2005) Government Kyrgyzstan Country name: conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: Kyrgyzstan former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic Capital: name: Bishkek geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (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) Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1991) Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President Askar AKAEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expanded the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; during large-scale demonstrations in November 2006, President BAKIEV and the opposition negotiated a new constitution granting greater powers to the parliament and the government; amendments added on 30 December 2006 redistributed some power back to the president, but both November and December 2006 versions were annulled in September 2007, and a new version was approved by referendum on 21 October 2007; the BAKIEV-initiated referendum was criticized by Western observers for voting irregularities, particularly ballot stuffing Legal system: based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIEV (since 14 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Igor CHUDINOV (since 24 December 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Omurbek BABANOV (since 26 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, appointed solely by the president elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for 2010); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will nominate a prime minister election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, other candidates 7.5% Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kengesh (90 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 December 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jorgorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years) Political parties and leaders: Ak Jol (Good Luck) [Avtandil ARABAEV, Elmira IBRAIMOVA, Vladimir NIFADYEV, co-chairs]; Ak Shumkar (Gerfalcon) [Temir SARIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Sovetbek JAMALDINOV]]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Viktor TCHETRNOMORETS]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIEV]; For Justice Movement [Alikbek JEKSHENKULOV]; Green Party [Erkin BULEKBAEV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Medet SADYRKULOV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Iskhak MASALIEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]; Republican Party of Labor and Unity [Tabaldy OROZALIEV]; Revolutionary Committee [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Sanjira (Tree of Life) [Ednan KARABAEV]; Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan [Almaz ATAMBAEV]; Svoboda Vybora (Free Choice) Party [Vyacheslav LISOVSKIY]; Turan Party [Kanybek IMANALIYEV]; Uluu Birimdik (Solidarity) Party [Emilbek KAPTAGAEV]; Union of Democratic Forces [Osmon ARTYKBAEV]; United Kyrgyzstan [Amangeldi MURALIEV] Political pressure groups and leaders: Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA] International organization participation: ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana C. GFOELLER embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264 Flag description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz 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 Kyrgyz yurt Economy Kyrgyzstan Economy - overview: Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. The economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output at the main Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and a 0.6% decline in 2005. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. The government and international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. In 2005, Bishkek agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth. GDP grew more than 6% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but growth is likely to decline from that level in 2009, due to declining demand and lower commodity prices in the wake of the international financial crisis. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.66 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $5.05 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32.4% industry: 18.6% services: 49% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.7 million (2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 48% industry: 12.5% services: 39.5% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 18% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: 40% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 24.3% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 25.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.17 billion expenditures: $1.192 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.5% (2008 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 25.32% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $911.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $303.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $558.3 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $121 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 15.62 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 8.997 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 2.387 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 7.6% hydro: 92.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: NA Oil - consumption: 12,330 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 2,534 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 14,240 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 40 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 18 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 768 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 750 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$574 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.676 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes Exports - partners: Russia 20.7%, Switzerland 19.9%, Kazakhstan 18%, Afghanistan 10.4%, Uzbekistan 7.6%, China 5.5% (2007) Imports: $3.476 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs Imports - partners: Russia 40.5%, China 14.7%, Kazakhstan 12.9%, Uzbekistan 5% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $268.5 million from the US (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.426 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $2.966 billion (30 June 2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): som (KGS) Currency code: KGS Exchange rates: soms (KGS) per US dollar - 36.108 (2008 est.), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004) Communications Kyrgyzstan Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.152 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links domestic: fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile cellular subscribership reached 40 per 100 persons in 2007 international: country code - 996; 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 - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave NA (2007) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007) Televisions: Internet country code: .kg Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: Transportation Kyrgyzstan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2007) Pipelines: gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2008) Railways: total: 470 km broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 18,500 km paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,591 km (2003) Waterways: 600 km (2008) Ports and terminals: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye) Military Kyrgyzstan Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Guard (2005) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,398,878 females age 16-49: 1,419,374 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,083,777 females age 16-49: 1,229,406 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 57,659 female: 55,557 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Kyrgyzstan Disputes - international: Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Thailand a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Thailand Introduction Thailand Background: A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. 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 treaty ally following the conflict. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat. The interim government held elections in December 2007 that saw the pro-THAKSIN People's Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government. The anti-THAKSIN People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister's office in August. Clashes in October 2008 between PAD protesters blocking parliament and police resulted in the death of at least two people. The PAD occupied Bangkok's international airports briefly, ending their protests in early December 2008 following a court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations. The Democrat Party then formed a new coalition government with the support of some of THAKSIN's former political allies, and ABHISIT Wetchachiwa became prime minister. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand's southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause. Geography Thailand Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 514,000 sq km land: 511,770 sq km water: 2,230 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Coastline: 3,219 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land Land use: arable land: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005) Irrigated land: 49,860 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 409.9 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 82.75 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 1,288 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore People Thailand Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.8% (male 7,009,845/female 6,691,470) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 22,977,945/female 23,512,538) 65 years and over: 8.7% (male 2,594,387/female 3,119,225) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.3 years male: 32.4 years female: 34.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.615% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 13.57 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 33% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.1 years male: 70.77 years female: 75.55 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.4% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 610,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 30,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census) Languages: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 94.9% female: 90.5% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2005) Government Thailand Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai local short form: Prathet Thai former: Siam Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Bangkok geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 76 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, Yasothon Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) National holiday: Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927) Constitution: constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL) on 24 August 2007 Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet or (BHUMIBOL Adulyadej) (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister KORBSAK Saphawasu, also spelled KORBSAK Sabhavasu (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SUTHEP Thueaksuban, also spelled SUTHEP Thaugsuban (since 22 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king elections: monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote representing 76 provinces, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; all serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; 400 members elected from 157 multi-seat constituencies and 80 elected on proportional party-list basis of 10 per eight zones or groupings of provinces; all serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPP 233, DP 164, TNP 34, Motherland 24, Middle Way 11, Unity 9, Royalist People's 5 note: 74 senators were appointed on 19 February 2008 by a seven-member committee headed by the chief of the Constitutional Court; 76 senators were elected on 2 March 2008; elections to the Senate are non-partisan; registered political party members are disqualified from being senators Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Chat Thai Phattana Party or CP (Thai Nation Development Party) [CHUMPOL Silpa-archa]; Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Motherland Party (Pheua Phaendin Party) [PRACHA Phromnok]; Phuea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [YONGYUT Wichaidit]; Phumchai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or BJT (Thai Pride) [CHAVARAT Charnvirakul]; Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong]; Ruam Jai Thai Party (Thai Unity Party) [WANNARAT Channukul] Political pressure groups and leaders: People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD; United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires DAMRONG Kraikruan chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric G. JOHN embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai Flag description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red Economy Thailand Economy - overview: With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand was one of East Asia's best performers from 2002-04, averaging more than 6% annual real GDP growth. However, overall economic growth has fallen sharply - averaging 4.9% from 2005 to 2007 - as persistent political crisis stalled infrastructure mega-projects, eroded investor and consumer confidence, and damaged the country's international image. Exports were the key economic driver as foreign investment and consumer demand stalled. Export growth from January 2005 to November 2008 averaged 17.5% annually. Business uncertainty escalated, however, following the September 2006 coup when the military-installed government imposed capital controls and considered far-reaching changes to foreign investment rules and other business legislation. Although controversial capital controls have since been lifted and business rules largely remain unchanged, investor sentiment has not recovered. Moreover, the 2008 global financial crisis further darkened Thailand's economic horizon. Continued political uncertainty will hamper resumption of infrastructure mega-projects. GDP (purchasing power parity): $570.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $272.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,700 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.4% industry: 44.5% services: 44.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 37.78 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 42.6% industry: 20.2% services: 37.1% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.2% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 10% (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 33.4% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 22.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $45.3 billion expenditures: $55.76 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Public debt: 42% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 2% (14 January 2009) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $28.62 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $216.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $241.8 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $196 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans Industries: tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Industrial production growth rate: 8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 148.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 138.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 731 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 4.488 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 91.3% hydro: 6.4% nuclear: 0% other: 2.4% (2001) Oil - production: 348,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 928,600 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 207,400 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 832,900 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 176 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 25.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 35.3 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 9.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 331.2 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$1.049 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $178.4 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances Exports - partners: US 12.6%, Japan 11.9%, China 9.7%, Singapore 6.3%, Hong Kong 5.7%, Malaysia 5.1% (2007) Imports: $179 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels Imports - partners: Japan 20.3%, China 11.6%, US 6.8%, Malaysia 6.2%, UAE 4.9%, Singapore 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $171.1 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $106.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $64.8 billion (September 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $80.83 billion (2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $7.013 billion (2007 est.) Currency (code): baht (THB) Currency code: THB Exchange rates: baht per US dollar - 33.37 (2008 est.), 34.52 (2007), 37.882 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004) Communications Thailand Telephones - main lines in use: 7.024 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 51.377 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and outpacing fixed lines international: country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 238, FM 351, shortwave 6 (2007) Radios: 13.96 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 15.19 million (1997) Internet country code: .th Internet hosts: 1.116 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 13.416 million (2007) Transportation Thailand Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 65 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 6 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 28 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 1,348 km; refined products 323 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,071 km narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2008) Merchant marine: total: 398 by type: bulk carrier 53, cargo 135, chemical tanker 15, container 22, liquefied gas 28, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 100, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 16 (China 1, Japan 4, Malaysia 3, Singapore 2, Taiwan 1, UK 5) registered in other countries: 40 (Bahamas 5, Mongolia 1, Panama 10, Singapore 23, Tuvalu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha Military Thailand Military branches: Royal Thai Army (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Knogtap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 17,553,410 females age 16-49: 17,751,268 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 13,086,106 females age 16-49: 14,126,398 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 532,977 female: 510,737 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Thailand Disputes - international: separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committee talks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006, over 116,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and asylum seekers from Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of historic boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 132,241 (Burma) (2007) Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit 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 methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of government crackdowns This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Heard Island and McDonald Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Heard Island and McDonald Islands Introduction Heard Island and McDonald Islands Background: These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. Geography Heard Island and McDonald Islands Location: islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, the most recent being in 2005 People Heard Island and McDonald Islands Population: uninhabited Government Heard Island and McDonald Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economy - overview: The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Communications Heard Island and McDonald Islands Internet country code: .hm Transportation Heard Island and McDonald Islands Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military Heard Island and McDonald Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Transnational Issues Heard Island and McDonald Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Spain a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Spain Introduction Spain Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. The government continues to battle the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization, but its major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008. Geography Spain Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 4 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 504,782 sq km land: 499,542 sq km water: 5,240 sq km note: there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Land boundaries: total: 1,917.8 km border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km Coastline: 4,964 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean) Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land Land use: arable land: 27.18% permanent crops: 9.85% other: 62.97% (2005) Irrigated land: 37,800 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 111.1 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 37.22 cu km/yr (13%/19%/68%) per capita: 864 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: periodic droughts Environment - current issues: pollution 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; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Geography - note: strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas People Spain Population: 40,525,002 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.5% (male 3,021,822/female 2,842,597) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 13,705,107/female 13,601,399) 65 years and over: 18.1% (male 3,071,394/female 4,282,683) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.1 years male: 39.7 years female: 42.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.072% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.87 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.9 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 77% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.05 years male: 76.74 years female: 83.57 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.31 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 140,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,300 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%, are official regionally Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.7% female: 97.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2005) Government Spain Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain conventional short form: Spain local long form: Reino de Espana local short form: Espana Government type: parliamentary monarchy Capital: name: Madrid geographic coordinates: 40 24 N, 3 41 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Spain is divided into two time zones including the Canary Islands Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares (Balearic Islands), Ceuta*, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna (Catalonia), Comunidad Valenciana (Valencian Community), Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla*, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco (Basque Country) note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central government, are all along the coast of Morocco and are collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de Soberania) Independence: the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain National holiday: National Day, 12 October (1492); year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas Constitution: approved by legislature 31 October 1978; passed by referendum 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978 Legal system: civil law system, with regional applications; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968 head of government: President of the Government (Prime Minister equivalent) Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice President (and Minister of the Presidency) Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004) and Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Pedro SOLBES Mira (since 18 April 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are non-binding elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 9 and 11 April 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president election results: Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO reelected President of the Government; percent of National Assembly vote - 46.94% Legislative branch: bicameral; General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (264 seats as of 2008; 208 members directly elected by popular vote and the other 56 - as of 2008 - appointed by the regional legislatures; to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; each of the 50 electoral provinces fills a minimum of two seats and the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla fill one seat each with members serving a four-year term; the other 248 members are determined by proportional representation based on popular vote on block lists who serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held not later than March 2012); Congress of Deputies - last held on 9 March 2008 (next to be held not later than March 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PP 101, PSOE 88, Entesa Catalona de Progress 12, CiU 4, PNV 2, CC 1, members appointed by regional legislatures 56; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSOE 43.6%, PP 40.1%, CiU 3.1%, PNV 1.2%, ERC 1.2%, other 10.8%; seats by party - PSOE 169, PP 154, CiU 10, PNV 6, ERC 3, other 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Political parties and leaders: Aragonese Party or CHA [Bizen FUSTER]; Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Inigo URKULLU]; Basque Solidarity or EA [Begona ERRAZTI]; Canarian Coalition or CC [Jose Torres STINGA] (a coalition of five parties); Convergence and Union or CiU [Artur MAS i Gavarro] (a coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Artur MAS i Gavarro] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN i LLEIDA]); Entesa Catalonia de Progress (a Senate coalition grouping four Catalan parties - PSC, ERC, ICV, EUA); Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Anxo Manuel QUINTANA Gonzalez]; Initiative for Catalonia Greens or ICV [Joan SAURA i Laporta]; Navarra yes or Na Bai [Uxue BARKOS Berruezo] (a coalition of four Navarran parties); Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY Brey]; Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Joan RIDAO]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO]; United Left or IU [Cayo LARA] (a coalition of parties including the Communist Party of Spain or PCE and other small parties) Political pressure groups and leaders: Association for Victims of Terrorism or AVT (grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims); Basta Ya (Spanish for "Enough is Enough"; grassroots organization devoted primarily to opposing ETA terrorist attacks and supporting its victims); Nunca Mais (Galician for "Never Again"; formed in response to the oil Tanker Prestige oil spill); Socialist General Union of Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or USO; Trade Union Confederation of Workers' Commissions or CC.OO. other: business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977); university students International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge DEZCALLAR de Mazarredo chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340 FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Arnold A. CHACON embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642 telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200 FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303 consulate(s) general: Barcelona Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe Economy Spain Economy - overview: The Spanish economy grew every year from 1994 through 2008 before entering a recession that started in the third quarter of 2008. Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is approaching that of the largest West European economies. The Socialist president, Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO, in office since 2004, has made mixed progress in carrying out key structural reforms. The economy was greatly affected, especially after Zapatero's second term began in April 2008, by the bursting of the housing bubble and construction boom that had fueled much of the economic growth between 2001 and 2007. The global financial crisis exacerbated the economic downturn. GDP growth in 2008 was 1.3%, well below the 3% or higher growth the country enjoyed from 1997 through 2007. The Spanish banking system is considered solid, thanks in part to conservative oversight by the European Central Bank, and government intervention to rescue banks on the scale seen elsewhere in Europe in 2008 was not necessary. After considerable success since the mid-1990s in reducing unemployment to a 2007 low of 8%, Spain suffered a major spike in unemployment in the last few months of 2008, finishing the year with an unemployment rate over 13%. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.378 trillion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.683 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $36,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 28.9% services: 67.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 23.1 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4% industry: 26.4% services: 69.5% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 13.9% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 26.6% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 30.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $443.3 billion expenditures: $535.6 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 37.5% of GDP (2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.54% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders Stock of quasi money: NA Stock of domestic credit: $3.724 trillion (30 November 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.132 trillion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment Industrial production growth rate: Electricity - production: 294.3 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - consumption: 276.1 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - exports: 14.52 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 8.773 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 50.4% hydro: 18.2% nuclear: 27.2% other: 4.1% (2001) Oil - production: 29,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 1.611 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 181,800 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 1.777 million bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 150 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 88 million cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 34.43 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 34.47 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.548 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$152.5 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $292.8 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods Exports - partners: France 18.8%, Germany 10.8%, Portugal 8.6%, Italy 8.5%, UK 7.6%, US 4.2% (2007) Imports: $444.9 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, measuring and medical control instruments Imports - partners: Germany 15.7%, France 12.7%, Italy 8.4%, China 5.8%, UK 4.8%, Netherlands 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $3.814 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $21.38 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $2.478 trillion (30 September 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $606.8 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $738.5 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): euro (EUR) Currency code: EUR Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004) Communications Spain Telephones - main lines in use: 18.583 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 48.813 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: well developed, modern facilities; fixed-line teledensity is about 45 per 100 persons domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 170 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 34; submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Middle East, Asia, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 18, FM 250, shortwave 2 (2008) Radios: 13.1 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 16.2 million (1997) Internet country code: .es Internet hosts: 3.264 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 19.69 million (2007) Transportation Spain Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 96 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 24 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 58 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 42 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 7,738 km; oil 560 km; refined products 3,445 km (2008) Railways: total: 14,974 km broad gauge: 11,919 km 1.668-m gauge (6,950 km electrified) standard gauge: 1,099 km 1.435-m gauge (1,054 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,928 km 1.000-m gauge (815 km electrified); 28 km 0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 681,224 km paved: 681,224 km (includes 13,872 km of expressways) (2006) Waterways: 1,000 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 158 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 14, chemical tanker 11, container 22, liquefied gas 11, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 15, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 4, Denmark 2, Germany 5, Italy 2, Mexico 3, Norway 5, UK 5) registered in other countries: 110 (Angola 1, Argentina 2, Bahamas 14, Belize 1, Brazil 9, Cape Verde 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 6, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 50, Portugal 11, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, UK 1, Uruguay 6, Venezuela 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Algeciras, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, Huelva, Tarragona, Valencia Military Spain Military branches: Spanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE; includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 10,033,069 females age 16-49: 9,764,937 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 8,139,020 females age 16-49: 7,899,157 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 199,124 female: 187,224 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Spain Disputes - international: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to remain a British colony and against a "total shared sovereignty" arrangement while demanding participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco serves as the primary launching site of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa; Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz Illicit drugs: despite rigorous law enforcement efforts, North African, Latin American, Galician, and other European traffickers take advantage of Spain's long coastline to land large shipments of cocaine and hashish for distribution to the European market; consumer for Latin American cocaine and North African hashish; destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin; money-laundering site for Colombian narcotics trafficking organizations and organized crime This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Suriname a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Suriname Introduction Suriname Background: First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. Independence 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 exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991 and has ruled since; the coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005. Geography Suriname Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 163,270 sq km land: 161,470 sq km water: 1,800 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: total: 1,703 km border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore Land use: arable land: 0.36% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.58% (2005) Irrigated land: 510 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 122 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.67 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%) per capita: 1,489 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast People Suriname Population: 481,267 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 66,603/female 64,035) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 159,525/female 160,871) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 13,004/female 17,229) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.9 years male: 27.5 years female: 28.3 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.103% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.51 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.73 years male: 71 years female: 76.65 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.4% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,800 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever, Mayaro virus, and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese Ethnic groups: Hindustani (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% Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5% Languages: 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), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.6% male: 92% female: 87.2% (2004 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 13 years (2002) Education expenditures: NA Government Suriname Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana Government type: constitutional democracy Capital: name: Paramaribo geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Independence: 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987 Legal system: based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ramdien SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN reelected president; percent of vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 62.9%, Rabin PARMESSAR 35.4%, other 1.7%; note - after two votes in the parliament failed to secure a two-thirds majority for a candidate, the vote then went to a special session of the United People's Assembly on 3 August 2005 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NF 39.7%, NDP 22.2%, VVV 13.8%, A-Com 7.2%, A-1 5.9%, other 11.2%; seats by party - NF 23, NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A-1 3 Judicial branch: Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of Amazone Party of Suriname or APS [Kenneth VAN GENDEREN], Democrats of the 21st Century or D-21 [Soewarto MOESTADJA], Nieuw Suriname or NS [Radjen Nanan PANDAY], Political Wing of the FAL or PVF [Jiwan SITAL], Trefpunt 2000 or T-2000 [Arti JESSURUN]); General Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition that includes A-Combination or A-Com, Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91, an independent, business-oriented party [Winston JESSURUN], National Party Suriname or NPS [Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ramdien SARDJOE], Pertjaja Luhur or PL [Salam Paul SOMOHARDJO], Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]); Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Marten SCHALKWIJK]; People's Alliance for Progress or VVV (a coalition of Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP-2000 [Jules WIJDENBOSCH], Grassroots Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN], Party for National Unity and Solidarity of the Highest Order or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA], Party for Progression, Justice, and Perseverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union or PALU [Jim HOK]; Progressive Political Party or PPP [Surinder MUNGRA]; Seeka [Paul ABENA]; Union of Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY] Political pressure groups and leaders: Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]; Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE]; Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD] International organization participation: ACP, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (suspended), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques Ruben Constantijn KROSS chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Bobbie SCHREIBER HUGHES embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo telephone: [597] 472-900 FAX: [597] 410-025 Flag description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band Economy Suriname Economy - overview: The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of alumina, gold, and oil accounting for about 85% of exports and 25% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. Prospects for local onshore oil production are good, and a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with several Western oil companies. Bidding on these new offshore blocks was completed in July 2006. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors, though investment in these projects may slow with the tightening of global credit markets. Suriname has received aid for these projects from Netherlands, Belgium, and the European Development Fund. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. In 2000, the government of Ronald VENETIAAN, returned to office and inherited an economy with inflation of over 100% and a growing fiscal deficit. He quickly implemented an austerity program, raised taxes, attempted to control spending, and tamed inflation. The VENETIAAN administration also has created a stabilization fund to insulate future revenue from commodity shocks. These economic policies are likely to remain in effect during VENETIAAN's third term. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.24 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.984 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.8% industry: 24.4% services: 64.8% (2005 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 8% industry: 14% services: 78% (2004) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: 70% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $392.6 million expenditures: $425.9 million (2004) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13.77% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $416.6 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $824.4 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $651 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products Industries: bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (1994 est.) Electricity - production: 1.595 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.457 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 25.2% hydro: 74.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 13,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 12,370 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 2,899 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 6,369 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 88 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $24 million (2007 est.) Exports: $1.391 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) Exports - commodities: alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas Exports - partners: Canada 26.8%, Norway 20.2%, Belgium 9.2%, US 8.9%, UAE 7.9%, France 7.2% (2007) Imports: $1.297 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods Imports - partners: US 27%, Netherlands 17.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 14.3%, China 5.9%, Japan 5.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $43.97 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $263.3 million (2006) Debt - external: $504.3 million (2005 est.) Currency (code): Surinam dollar (SRD) Currency code: SRG Exchange rates: Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 2.745 (2007), 2.745 (2006), 2.7317 (2005), 2.7336 (2004), 2.6013 (2003) note: in January 2004, the government replaced the guilder with the Surinamese dollar, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket Communications Suriname Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: international facilities are good domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 7 repeaters) (2000) Televisions: Internet country code: .sr Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Suriname Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 40 (2007) Pipelines: oil 50 km (2008) Roadways: total: 4,304 km paved: 1,130 km unpaved: 3,174 km (2003) Waterways: 1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 1 by type: cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Paramaribo, Wageningen Military Suriname Military branches: National Army (Nationaal Leger, NL; includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.); recruitment is voluntary, with personnel drawn almost exclusively from the Creole community (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 130,534 females age 16-49: 130,243 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 107,367 females age 16-49: 111,000 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,251 female: 4,265 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Suriname Disputes - international: area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters Illicit drugs: growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Bulgaria a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Bulgaria Introduction Bulgaria Background: The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Geography Bulgaria Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 110,910 sq km land: 110,550 sq km water: 360 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,808 km border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia 318 km, Turkey 240 km Coastline: 354 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land Land use: arable land: 29.94% permanent crops: 1.9% other: 68.16% (2005) Irrigated land: 5,880 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 19.4 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 6.92 cu km/yr (3%/78%/19%) per capita: 895 cu m/yr (2003) Natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia People Bulgaria Population: 7,204,687 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 509,544/female 484,816) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 2,426,060/female 2,508,772) 65 years and over: 17.7% (male 518,711/female 756,784) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 41.4 years male: 39.2 years female: 43.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.79% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 9.58 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 14.3 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.09 years male: 69.48 years female: 76.91 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 346 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2001 est.) Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian Ethnic groups: Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census) Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4% (2001 census) Languages: Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.2% male: 98.7% female: 97.7% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2005) Government Bulgaria Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria local long form: Republika Balgariya local short form: Balgariya Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Sofia geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol Independence: 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991 Legal system: civil and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January 2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Sergei STANISHEV (since 16 August 2005); Deputy Prime Ministers Ivaylo KALFIN, Daniel VULCHEV, and Emel ETEM (since 16 August 2005) and Meglena PLUGCHIEVA (since 25 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in 2011); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly election results: Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Sergei STANISHEV elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67 Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 June 2005 (next to be held mid-2009) election results: percent of vote by party - CfB 31.1%, NDSV 19.9%, MRF 12.7%, ATAKA 8.2%, UDF 7.7%, DSB 6.5%, BPU 5.2%, other 8.7%; seats by party - CfB 83, NDSV 53, MRF 33, UDF 20, ATAKA 17, DSB 17, BPU 13, independents 4; note - seats by party as of February 2009 - CfB 81, NDSV 35, MRF 34, UDF 18, Bulgarian New Democracy 16, DSB 13, Movement Forward 11, ATAKA 11, independents 21 Judicial branch: independent judiciary comprised of judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates who are appointed, promoted, demoted, and dismissed by a 25-member Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 members, half of which are elected by the National Assembly and the other half by the bodies of the judiciary for a 5-year term in office); three levels of case review; 182 courts of which two Supreme Courts act as the last instance on civil and criminal cases (the Supreme Court of Cassation) and appeals of government decisions (the Supreme Administrative Court) Political parties and leaders: ATAKA (Attack Coalition) (coalition of parties headed by the Attack National Union); Attack National Union [Volen SIDEROV]; Agrarian National Union or ANU [Stefan LICHEV]; Bulgarian New Democracy [Borislav RALCHEV]; Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV]; Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Tsvetan TSVETANOV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Gergyovden [Petar STOYANOVICH]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Liberal Initiative for Democratic European Development or LIDER [Khristo KOVACHKI]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; Movement Forward (LIDER, IMRO, ANU, Gergyovden); National Movement for Stability and Progress or NDSV [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA] (formerly National Movement Simeon II or NMS2); New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Union of Democratic Forces or UDF [Martin DIMITROV]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Agrarians [Anastasia MOZER]; United Democratic Forces or UtDF (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF) Political pressure groups and leaders: Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation other: numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Latchezar PETKOV chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy McELDOWNEY embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407 mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed Economy Bulgaria Economy - overview: Bulgaria, a former Communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, has experienced strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996. Successive governments have demonstrated commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but have failed so far to rein in rising inflation and large current account deficits. Bulgaria has averaged more than 6% growth since 2004, attracting significant amounts of foreign direct investment, but corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges. GDP (purchasing power parity): $95.88 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $49.43 billion (2008) GDP - real growth rate: GDP - per capita (PPP): $13,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 28.7% services: 66.7% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.44 million (2008) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7.5% industry: 35.5% services: 57% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: 14.1% (2003 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 25.5% (2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 38.3% of GDP (2008) Budget: revenues: $20.43 billion expenditures: $18.93 billion (2008) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 16.7% of GDP (2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Central bank discount rate: 5.77% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $14.86 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $34.17 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $33.3 billion (31 December 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $21.79 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock Industries: electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel Industrial production growth rate: Electricity - production: 42.43 billion kWh (2007) Electricity - consumption: 28.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - exports: 7.992 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 3.243 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47.8% hydro: 8.1% nuclear: 44.1% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 3,520 bbl/day (2007) Oil - consumption: 142,400 bbl/day (2007) Oil - exports: 2,480 bbl/day (2007) Oil - imports: 145,200 bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: 15 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.5 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007) Natural gas - imports: 3.229 billion cu m (2007) Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$12.11 billion (2008) Exports: $22.3 billion f.o.b. (2008) Exports - commodities: clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels Exports - partners: Turkey 11.5%, Germany 10.3%, Italy 10.2%, Greece 9.1%, Belgium 6.2%, Romania 4.9% (2007) Imports: $35.3 billion f.o.b. (2008) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials Imports - partners: Russia 12.3%, Germany 12.3%, Italy 8.7%, Ukraine 7.2%, Turkey 6.9%, Greece 6.2%, Romania 4.5%, Austria 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $742 million (2005-06 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $18.59 billion (31 December 2008) Debt - external: $54.01 billion (30 November 2008) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $45.13 billion (2008) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.402 billion (2008) Currency (code): lev (BGN) Currency code: BGN Exchange rates: leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.3171 (2008 est.), 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5741 (2005), 1.5751 (2004) Communications Bulgaria Telephones - main lines in use: 2.3 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 9.897 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; quality has improved; the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 when alternative fixed-line operators were given access to its network; a drop in fixed-line connections in recent years has been more than offset by a sharp increase in mobile-cellular telephone use fostered by multiple service providers; the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now exceeds the population domestic: a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions; the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay international: country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: 4.51 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 3.31 million (1997) Internet country code: .bg Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1.899 million (2007) Transportation Bulgaria Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 131 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 95 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 83 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 72 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 2,926 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2008) Railways: total: 4,294 km standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified) narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 40,231 km paved: 39,587 km (includes 331 km of expressways) unpaved: 644 km (2005) Waterways: 470 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 74 by type: bulk carrier 37, cargo 14, chemical tanker 5, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 65 (Germany 63, Ireland 1, Russia 1) registered in other countries: 31 (Comoros 2, Malta 5, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15, Slovakia 6) (2008) Ports and terminals: Burgas, Varna Military Bulgaria Military branches: Bulgarian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Bulgarski Voennovazdyshni Sily, BVVS) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; as of May 2006, 67% of the Bulgarian Army comprised of professional soldiers; conscription ended as of 1 January 2008; Air and Air Defense Forces and Naval Forces became fully professional at the end of 2006 (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,701,979 females age 16-49: 1,691,092 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,351,312 females age 16-49: 1,381,017 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 38,263 female: 36,374 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Bulgaria Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Saint Lucia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Saint Lucia Introduction Saint Lucia Background: The 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. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979. Geography Saint Lucia Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 58 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 616 sq km land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 158 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Land use: arable land: 6.45% permanent crops: 22.58% other: 70.97% (2005) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.01 per capita: 81 cu m/yr (1997) Natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean People Saint Lucia Population: 160,267 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.4% (male 20,035/female 19,021) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 51,593/female 54,843) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 6,668/female 8,107) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 29.8 years male: 28.7 years female: 30.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.416% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 15.4 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.71 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -4.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.45 years male: 73.78 years female: 79.27 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian Ethnic groups: black 82.5%, mixed 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Rastafarian 2.1%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census) Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 90.1% male: 89.5% female: 90.6% (2001 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 6.6% of GDP (2006) Government Saint Lucia Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Castries geographic coordinates: 14 01 N, 61 00 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Stephenson KING (since 9 September 2007); note - Sir John COMPTON died in office Friday, 7 September 2007 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is 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; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral 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 to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 11 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - UWP 50%, SLP 46.9%, other 3.1%; seats by party - UWP 11, SLP 6 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consists of a High Court and a Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; three judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Lucia); member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Political parties and leaders: National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Stephenson KING] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael LOUIS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia Flag description: blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border Economy Saint Lucia Economy - overview: The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, with a surge in foreign direct investment in 2006, attributed to the construction of several tourism projects. Although crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, tourism provides Saint Lucia's main source of income and the industry is the island's biggest employer. The tourism sector is likely to face declining revenues with the global economic downturn as US and European travel declines. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry, although recent hurricanes have caused exports to contract. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. The public debt-to-GDP ratio is about 70% and high debt servicing obligations constrain the KING administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though unemployment needs to be reduced. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.8 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.031 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,300 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 15% services: 80% (2005 est.) Labor force: 43,800 (2001 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 21.7% industry: 24.7% services: 53.6% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (2003 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $141.2 million expenditures: $146.7 million (2000 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.12% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $264.7 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $720.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.217 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism; lime processing, coconut processing Industrial production growth rate: -8.9% (1997 est.) Electricity - production: 325 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 289.2 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,780 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 2,631 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$199 million (2007 est.) Exports: $288 million (2006) Exports - commodities: bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil Exports - partners: US 24.5%, France 23.2%, UK 19.3%, Antigua and Barbuda 5%, Dominica 4.9%, Barbados 4.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.1% (2007) Imports: $791 million (2006) Imports - commodities: food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels Imports - partners: Brazil 63.6%, US 10.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 8.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $11.06 million (2005) Debt - external: $257 million (2004) Currency (code): East Caribbean dollar (XCD) Currency code: XCD Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) Communications Saint Lucia Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: adequate system domestic: system is automatically switched international: country code - 1-758; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables, along with Intelsat from Martinique, carry calls internationally; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 2 (1 commercial broadcast station and 1 community antenna television or CATV channel) (2003) Televisions: Internet country code: .lc Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Saint Lucia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 1,210 km (2002) Ports and terminals: Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort Military Saint Lucia Military branches: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Coast Guard) (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 48,358 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 32,094 females age 16-49: 36,110 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,607 female: 1,511 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues Saint Lucia Disputes - international: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Jan Mayen a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Jan Mayen Introduction Jan Mayen Background: This desolate, arctic, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985. It is the northernmost active volcano on earth. Geography Jan Mayen Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 377 sq km land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 124.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985 Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass People Jan Mayen Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station Government Jan Mayen Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen Dependency status: territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service Legal system: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy Jan Mayen Economy - overview: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. Communications Jan Mayen Radio broadcast stations: NA; note - there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000) Transportation Jan Mayen Airports: Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military Jan Mayen Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues Jan Mayen Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Jordan a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Jordan Introduction Jordan Background: Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and barely managed to defeat Palestinian rebels who threatened to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of Saddam in Iraq and following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were held in November 2007 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. In November 2007, King ABDALLAH instructed his new prime minister to focus on socioeconomic reform, developing a healthcare and housing network for civilians and military personnel, and improving the educational system. Geography Jordan Location: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 31 00 N, 36 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 92,300 sq km land: 91,971 sq km water: 329 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil Land use: arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005) Irrigated land: 750 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.9 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%) per capita: 177 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: droughts; periodic earthquakes Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank People Jordan Population: 6,342,948 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 1,014,183/female 973,538) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 2,183,638/female 1,904,420) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 128,759/female 138,410) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.3 years male: 25 years female: 23.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.264% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 20.13 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 2.72 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.87 years male: 76.34 years female: 81.56 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 600 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.) Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.9% male: 95.1% female: 84.7% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (1999) Government Jordan Country name: conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Amman geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Thursday in March; ends last Friday in September Administrative divisions: 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Constitution: 1 January 1952; amended many times Legal system: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Prince HUSSEIN (born 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II, is considered to be first in line to inherit the throne head of government: Prime Minister Nader al-DAHABI (since 25 November 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (55 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (110 seats; members elected using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member districts, to serve four-year terms); note - six seats are reserved for women, nine seats are reserved for Christian candidates, nine seats are reserved for Bedouin candidates, and three seats are reserved for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held 20 November 2007 (next scheduled to be held in 2011) election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - IAF 6, independents and other 104; note - seven women serve in the Assembly, six of whom filled women's quota seats and one was directly elected Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Supreme Court) Political parties and leaders: Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Fuad DABBOUR]; Ba'ath Arab Progressive Party [Tayseer al-HAMSI]; Call Party [Mohammed Abu BAKR]; Democratic People's Party [Ahmad Yusuf 'ALIYA]; Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'ed DIAB]; Islamic Action Front [Zaki Beni-IRSHAID]; Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FA'OURI; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARNEH]; Jordanian National Party [Mona Abu BAKR]; Jordanian United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Thaher 'AMROU]; Message Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmed al-SHUNAQ]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Mohammed al-QAQ]; Political pressure groups and leaders: Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice chairman]; Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general] International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador ZEID Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, Prince chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. BEECROFT embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0121 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I Economy Jordan Economy - overview: Jordan is a small Arab country with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources. Poverty, unemployment, and inflation are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH II, since assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Since Jordan's graduation from its most recent IMF program in 2002, Amman has continued to follow IMF guidelines, practicing careful monetary policy, making substantial headway with privatization, and opening the trade regime. Jordan's exports have significantly increased under the free trade accord with the US and Jordanian Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ), which allow Jordan to export goods with some Israeli content duty free to the US. In 2006 and 2008, Jordan used privatization proceeds to significantly reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio. These measures have helped improve productivity and have made Jordan more attractive for foreign investment. The government ended subsidies for petroleum and other consumer goods in 2008 in an effort to control the budget. The main challenges facing Jordan are reducing dependence on foreign grants, reducing the growing budget deficit, attracting investments, and creating jobs. Jordan is currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy shortfalls. Jordan's conservative banking sector has been largely protected from the worldwide financial crisis, but many businesses, particularly in the tourism and real estate sector, are predicting a slow-down in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $31.01 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $19.12 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,000 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 10.1% services: 86.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.615 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 20% services: 77.4% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 12.9% official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.6% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 34.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.999 billion expenditures: $7.87 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 58.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.9% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.25% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8.45% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $7.87 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of quasi money: $17.98 billion (31 December 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $25.05 billion (31 December 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $35.8 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives; sheep, poultry, stone fruits, strawberries, dairy Industries: clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 10.08 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 9.852 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 13 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 472 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - consumption: 110,700 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 112,300 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 1 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 320 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 2.25 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 2.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$4.87 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $6.521 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals Exports - partners: US 22.4%, Iraq 12.9%, India 8.3%, UAE 7.8%, Saudi Arabia 7.5%, Syria 4.9% (2007) Imports: $15.65 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 21%, China 9.7%, Germany 7.5%, US 4.7%, Egypt 4.4% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $752 million (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.884 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $6.597 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $20.38 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Jordanian dinar (JOD) Currency code: JOD Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004) Communications Jordan Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.771 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services; Internet penetration remains modest and slow-growing domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; mobile-cellular usage is increasing rapidly and teledensity reached 80 per 100 persons in 2007 international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel (2007) Radio broadcast stations: FM 31 (2007) Radios: 1.66 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .jo Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1.127 million (2007) Transportation Jordan Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 439 km; oil 49 km (2008) Railways: total: 505 km narrow gauge: 505 km 1.050-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 7,694 km paved: 7,694 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 21 by type: cargo 8, container 1, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 13 (UAE 13) registered in other countries: 24 (Algeria 7, Bahamas 2, Panama 13, Syria 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Al 'Aqabah Military Jordan Military branches: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription at age 18 was suspended in 1999, although all males under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in non-combat military positions (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,812,551 females age 16-49: 1,559,155 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,593,919 females age 16-49: 1,382,097 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 69,830 female: 67,292 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 8.6% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Jordan Disputes - international: approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan; 2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,835,704 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)); 500,000 (Iraq) IDPs: 160,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Jordan is a destination and transit country for women and men from South and Southeast Asia trafficked for the purpose of forced labor; Jordan is also a destination for women from Eastern Europe and Morocco for prostitution; women from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines migrate willingly to work as domestic servants, but some are subjected to conditions of forced labor, including unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Jordan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007, particularly in the area of law enforcement against trafficking for forced labor; the government made minimal efforts to investigate or prosecute numerous allegations related to exploitation of foreign domestic workers; Jordan failed for a second year to criminally prosecute and punish those who committed acts of forced labor; Jordan also continues to lack victim protection services; Jordan has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Akrotiri a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Akrotiri Introduction Akrotiri Background: By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area. Geography Akrotiri Location: Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus Geographic coordinates: 34 37 N, 32 58 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 123 sq km note: includes a salt lake and wetlands Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 47.4 km border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km Coastline: 56.3 km Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Environment - current issues: shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base Geography - note: British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land People Akrotiri Population: approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK-based contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents Languages: English, Greek Government Akrotiri Country name: conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Akrotiri Dependency status: a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Capital: name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia) geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Constitution: Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document Legal system: the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: the flag of the UK is used Economy Akrotiri Economy - overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Currency (code): euro (EUR) adopted 1 January 2008; note - the Cypriot pound (CYP) formerly used Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.46019 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174 (2003) Communications Akrotiri Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 1, shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Television broadcast stations: 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006) Military Akrotiri Military - note: Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces on Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Egypt a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Egypt Introduction Egypt Background: The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty with the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's growing population through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure. Geography Egypt Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,665 km border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Elevation extremes: lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 2.92% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 96.58% (2005) Irrigated land: 34,220 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 86.8 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 68.3 cu km/yr (8%/6%/86%) per capita: 923 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms Environment - current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees People Egypt Population: 83,082,869 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.4% (male 13,345,500/female 12,743,878) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 26,823,127/female 26,169,421) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 1,701,068/female 2,299,875) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 24.8 years male: 24.4 years female: 25.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.642% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 22.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.12 years male: 69.56 years female: 74.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,200 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic groups: Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census) Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1% Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.4% male: 83% female: 59.4% (2005 est.) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2006) Government Egypt Country name: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) Government type: republic Capital: name: Cairo geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in April; ends last Thursday in September Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah (El Beheira), Al Fayyum (El Faiyum), Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah (El Monofia), Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf (Beni Suef), Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh (Western Desert), Qina (Qena), Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj (Sohag) Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK) National holiday: Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) Constitution: 11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980, 25 May 2005, and 26 March 2007 Legal system: based on Islamic and civil law (particularly Napoleonic codes); judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term (no term limits); note - a national referendum in May 2005 approved a constitutional amendment that changed the presidential election to a multicandidate popular vote; previously the president was nominated by the People's Assembly and the nomination was validated by a national, popular referendum; last referendum held 26 September 1999; first election under terms of constitutional amendment held 7 September 2005; next election scheduled for 2011 election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote - Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9% Legislative branch: bicameral system consists of the 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 (Shura Council) that traditionally functions only in a consultative role but 2007 constitutional amendments could grant the Council new powers (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half of the elected members) elections: People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 7 and 20 November, 1 December 2005;(next to be held November-December 2010); Advisory Council - last held June 2007 (next to be held May-June 2010) election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 311, NWP 6, Tagammu 2, Tomorrow Party 1, independents 112 (12 seats to be determined by rerun elections, 10 seats appointed by President); Advisory Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 84, Tagammu 1, independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party or NDP (governing party) [Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK]; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP [Mahmoud ABAZA]; Tomorrow Party [Moussa Mustafa MOUSSA] note: formation of political parties must be approved by the government; only parties with representation in elected bodies are listed Political pressure groups and leaders: Muslim Brotherhood (technically illegal) note: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties and political activity, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Hosni MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK has alternated between tolerating limited political activity by the Brotherhood (its members, who ran as independents, hold 88 seats in the People's Assembly)and blocking its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; only trade unions and professional associations affiliated with the government are officially sanctioned; Internet social networking groups and bloggers International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, COMESA, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sameh Hassan SHOUKRY chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret SCOBEY embassy: 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900; 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo telephone: [20] (2) 2797-3300 FAX: [20] (2) 2797-3200 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band Economy Egypt Economy - overview: Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but has opened up considerably under former President Anwar EL-SADAT and current President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Cairo has aggressively pursued economic reforms to encourage inflows of foreign investment and facilitate GDP growth. In 2005, Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF's government reduced personal and corporate tax rates, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized several enterprises. The stock market boomed, and GDP grew about 7% each year since 2006. Despite these achievements, the government has failed to raise living standards for the average Egyptian, and has had to continue providing subsidies for basic necessities. The subsidies have contributed to a sizeable budget deficit - roughly 7% of GDP in 2007-08 - and represent a significant drain on the economy. Foreign direct investment has increased significantly in the past two years, but the NAZIF government will need to continue its aggressive pursuit of reforms in order to sustain the spike in investment and growth and begin to improve economic conditions for the broader population. Egypt's export sectors - particularly natural gas - have bright prospects. GDP (purchasing power parity): $452.5 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $158.3 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $5,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.4% industry: 37.6% services: 48.9% (2008 est.) Labor force: 24.72 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 32% industry: 17% services: 51% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.7% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 20% (2005 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 29.5% (2000) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 17% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $40.46 billion expenditures: $51.38 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Public debt: 84.7% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 9% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 12.51% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $27.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $102.6 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $113.9 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $139.3 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures Industrial production growth rate: 7.7% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 109.1 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 96.2 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 557 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 208 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 664,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 652,700 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 204,700 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 140,000 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 3.7 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 47.5 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 31.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 15.7 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.656 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $1.483 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $33.36 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals Exports - partners: US 9.7%, Italy 9.5%, Spain 7.6%, Syria 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.9%, UK 4.2% (2007) Imports: $56.43 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels Imports - partners: US 11.7%, China 9.7%, Italy 6.4%, Germany 6.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, Russia 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $925.9 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $36.91 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $28.84 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $59.03 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $2.28 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Egyptian pound (EGP) Currency code: EGP Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.4 (2008 est.), 5.67 (2007), 5.725 (2006), 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004) Communications Egypt Telephones - main lines in use: 11.229 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 30.065 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Telecom Egypt, the landline monopoly, has been increasing service availability and in 2007 fixed-line density stood at 14 per 100 persons; as of 2007 there were three mobile-cellular networks and service is expanding rapidly domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 20; landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 11, shortwave 3 (1999) Radios: 20.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 98 (September 1995) Televisions: 7.7 million (1997) Internet country code: .eg Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 8.62 million (2007) Transportation Egypt Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 72 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 under 914 m: 5 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 7 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 320 km; condensate/gas 13 km; gas 5,586 km; liquid petroleum gas 956 km; oil 4,314 km; oil/gas/water 3 km; refined products 895 km; unknown 59 km; water 9 km (2008) Railways: total: 5,063 km standard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 92,370 km paved: 74,820 km unpaved: 17,550 km (2004) Waterways: 3,500 km note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m (2007) Merchant marine: total: 67 by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 28, container 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 9 foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 1, Greece 8, Lebanon 1) registered in other countries: 58 (Cambodia 13, Georgia 12, Honduras 3, North Korea 1, Malta 1, Moldova 1, Panama 17, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, Togo 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Ayn Sukhnah, Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Sidi Kurayr, Suez Military Egypt Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation 12-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 21,247,777 females age 16-49: 20,406,408 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 18,490,522 females age 16-49: 17,719,905 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 831,157 female: 792,330 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Egypt Disputes - international: while Sudan retains claim to the Hala'ib Triangle north of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, both states withdrew their military presence in the 1990s and Egypt has invested in and effectively administers the area; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 60,000 - 80,000 (Iraq); 70,198 (Palestinian Territories); 12,157 (Sudan) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Egypt is a transit country for women trafficked from Eastern European countries to Israel for sexual exploitation, and is a source for children trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, although the extent to which children are trafficked internally is unknown; children were also recruited for domestic and agricultural work; some of these children face conditions of involuntary servitude, such as restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Egypt is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third year in a row because it did not provide evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers; however, in July 2007, the government established the "National Coordinating Committee to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Persons," which improved inter-governmental coordination on anti-trafficking initiatives; Egypt made no discernible efforts to punish trafficking crimes in 2007 and the Egyptian penal code does not prohibit all forms of trafficking; Egypt did not increase its services to trafficking victims during the reporting period (2008) Illicit drugs: transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug couriers; concern as money laundering site due to lax enforcement of financial regulations This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Togo a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Togo Introduction Togo Background: French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967 and maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. After years of political unrest and fire from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community. Geography Togo Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 56,785 sq km land: 54,385 sq km water: 2,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km Coastline: 56 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 30 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 m Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land Land use: arable land: 44.2% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 53.69% (2005) Irrigated land: 70 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 14.7 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.17 cu km/yr (53%/2%/45%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation 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 areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna People Togo Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.5% (male 1,252,662/female 1,245,379) 15-64 years: 55.7% (male 1,640,982/female 1,714,278) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 65,427/female 101,149) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.7 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.2 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.711% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 36.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 56.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.69 years male: 56.56 years female: 60.88 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.3% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 9,100 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese Ethnic groups: African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1% Religions: Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51% Languages: 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) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.9% male: 75.4% female: 46.9% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 7 years (2000) Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2002) Government Togo Country name: conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique togolaise local short form: none former: French Togoland Government type: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule Capital: name: Lome geographic coordinates: 6 08 N, 1 13 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960) Constitution: multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992, adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992 Legal system: French-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: NA years of age; universal (adult) Executive branch: chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, with the support of the military following international condemnation for the unconstitutional move he then stepped aside pending elections, and Abass BONFOH served as interim president; Faure GNASSINGBE later won popular elections in April 2005 head of government: Prime Minister Gilbert HOUNGBO (since 7 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held by 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas LAWSON 1%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.5% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 14 October 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - RPT 39.4%, UFC 37.0%, CAR 8.2%, independents 2.5%, other 12.9%; seats by party - RPT 50, UFC 27, CAR 4 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yawovi AGBOYIBO]; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA; Democratic Party for Renewal or PDR; Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP; Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]; Union of Forces for a Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lorempo LANDJERGUE chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia McMahon HAWKINS embassy: 4332 Blvd. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Cite OUA, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome; 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20512-2300 telephone: [228] 261-5470 FAX: [228] 261-5501 Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Togo Economy - overview: This 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. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. 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 moved slowly. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Togo is working with donors to write a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan. Economic growth remains marginal due to declining cotton production, underinvestment in phosphate mining, and strained relations with donors. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.428 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $3.009 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 25% services: 35% (2008 est.) Labor force: 1.302 million (1998) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (1998 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 32% (1989 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 18.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $551.5 million expenditures: $620.1 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.8% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $624.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $383.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $590.7 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 203 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 607 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 505 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.7% hydro: 1.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 17,770 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 1,547 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 16,650 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$433 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.001 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa Exports - partners: Ghana 16.8%, Burkina Faso 14.5%, Germany 9.2%, Benin 9.1%, Netherlands 5.9%, Mali 5.8%, India 4.7% (2007) Imports: $1.725 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products Imports - partners: China 36.3%, Estonia 9.6%, US 7.6%, Netherlands 7.3%, France 7% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $86.71 million (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $502 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $2 billion (2005) Currency (code): Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 482.71 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro Communications Togo Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.19 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 15 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 2 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .tg Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Togo Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Railways: total: 568 km narrow gauge: 568 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (2000) Waterways: 50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 10 by type: cargo 9, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Bangladesh 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 1, Lebanon 1, Syria 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Kpeme, Lome Military Togo Military branches: Togolese Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Togolese Navy (Marine du Togo), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, FAT), National Gendarmerie (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,365,505 females age 16-49: 1,374,993 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 929,395 females age 16-49: 943,967 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 70,775 female: 70,051 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Togo Disputes - international: in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary; in 2006 14,000 Togolese refugees remain in Benin and Ghana out of the 40,000 who fled there in 2005 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Ghana) IDPs: 1,500 (2007) Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Uganda a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Uganda Introduction Uganda Background: The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved 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 at least another 100,000 lives. The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. Geography Uganda Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 32 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 236,040 sq km land: 199,710 sq km water: 36,330 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: total: 2,698 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land Land use: arable land: 21.57% permanent crops: 8.92% other: 69.51% (2005) Irrigated land: 90 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 66 cu km (1970) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.3 cu km/yr (43%/17%/40%) per capita: 10 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Geography - note: landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers People Uganda Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (male 8,152,830/female 8,034,366) 15-64 years: 47.9% (male 7,789,209/female 7,703,143) 65 years and over: 2.1% (male 286,693/female 403,317) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 15 years male: 14.9 years female: 15.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.692% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 48.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 12.32 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 64.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 68.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.72 years male: 51.66 years female: 53.81 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.77 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 5.4% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 940,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 77,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2008) Nationality: noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan Ethnic groups: Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6% (2002 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 census) Languages: 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 Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.8% male: 76.8% female: 57.7% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2004) Government Uganda Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda Government type: republic Capital: name: Kampala geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 25 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 56 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe note: as of a July 2005, 13 new districts were reportedly added bringing the total up to 69; the new districts are Amolatar, Amuria, Budaka, Butaleja, Ibanda, Kaabong, Kabingo, Kaliro, Kiruhura, Koboko, Manafwa, Mityana, Nakaseke; a total of ten more districts are in the process of being added Independence: 9 October 1962 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962) Constitution: 8 October 1995; in 2005 the constitution was amended removing presidential term limits and legalizing a multiparty political system Legal system: in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Apolo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 59.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 37.4%, other 3.3% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (332 seats; 215 members elected by popular vote, 104 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 79, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 13 ex officio members; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 191, FDC 37, UPC 9, DP 8, CP 1, JEEMA 1, independents 36, other 49 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Democratic Party or DP [Kizito SSEBAANA]; Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Kizza BESIGYE]; Justice Forum or JEEMA [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI]; Peoples Progressive Party or PPP [Bidandi SSALI]; Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Miria OBOTE] note: a national referendum in July 2005 opened the way for Uganda's transition to a multi-party political system Political pressure groups and leaders: Lord's Resistence Group or LRA [Joseph KONY]; Young Parliamentary Association [Henry BANYENZAKI]; Parliamentary Advocacy Forum or PAFO; National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU [Florence NEKYON]; The Ugandan Coalition for Political Accountability to Wormen or COPAW International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Perezi Karukubiro KAMUNANWIRE chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Steven BROWNING embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (414) 259, 306-001 FAX: [256] (414) 258-451 Flag description: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side Economy Uganda Economy - overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee 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. During 1990-2001, 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. Growth continues to be solid, despite variability in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export, and a consistent upturn in Uganda's export markets. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion. GDP (purchasing power parity): $34.23 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $15.04 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29% industry: 24.8% services: 46.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 14.48 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 82% industry: 5% services: 13% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: 35% (2001 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 37.7% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 26.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.72 billion expenditures: $3.05 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Public debt: 19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 14.68% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 19.11% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.363 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $1.302 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $907.3 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $103.4 million (2005) Agriculture - products: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 1.161 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 899.7 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 180 million kWh (2006) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.9% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 11,570 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 115 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 11,540 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$933 million (2008 est.) Exports: $2.03 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products; gold Exports - partners: Netherlands 10.2%, Belgium 9.8%, Germany 7.9%, France 7.2%, Rwanda 5.6% (2007) Imports: $3.579 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals Imports - partners: Kenya 31.8%, China 7.8%, UAE 7.7%, South Africa 5.9%, India 5.2%, Japan 4.8% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.198 billion (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.705 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Ugandan shilling (UGX) Currency code: UGX Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 1,658.1 (2008 est.), 1,685.8 (2007), 1,834.9 (2006), 1,780.7 (2005), 1,810.3 (2004) Communications Uganda Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.195 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: seriously inadequate; mobile cellular service is increasing rapidly, but the number of main lines is still deficient; e-mail and Internet services are available domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile-cellular systems for short-range traffic international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001) Radios: 5 million (2001) Television broadcast stations: 8 (plus 1 repeater) (2001) Televisions: Internet country code: .ug Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 2 million (2007) Transportation Uganda Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 9 (2007) Railways: total: 1,244 km narrow gauge: 1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 70,746 km paved: 16,272 km unpaved: 54,474 km (2003) Waterways: on Lake Victoria, 200 km on Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, and parts of Albert Nile (2008) Ports and terminals: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell Military Uganda Military branches: Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF): Army (includes Marine Unit), Air Force (2007) Military service age and obligation: 18-26 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military duty; 18-30 years of age for professionals; 9-year service obligation; the government has stated that recruitment below 18 years of age could occur with proper consent and that "no person under the apparent age of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"; Ugandan citizenship and secondary education required (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,532,894 females age 16-49: 6,352,416 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 3,996,597 females age 16-49: 3,899,717 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 399,134 female: 395,505 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Uganda Disputes - international: Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic groups, rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces that extend across its borders; Uganda hosts 209,860 Sudanese, 27,560 Congolese, and 19,710 Rwandan refugees, while Ugandan refugees as well as members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) seek shelter in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Garamba National Park; LRA forces have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 215,700 (Sudan); 28,880 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 24,900 (Rwanda) IDPs: 1.27 million (350,000 IDPs returned in 2006 following ongoing peace talks between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda) (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Djibouti a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Djibouti Introduction Djibouti Background: The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second and final term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but also has strong ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism. Geography Djibouti Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 23,000 sq km land: 22,980 sq km water: 20 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m Natural resources: geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum Land use: arable land: 0.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.96% (2005) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 0.3 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.02 cu km/yr (84%/0%/16%) per capita: 25 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa People Djibouti Population: 516,055 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.3% (male 112,135/female 111,343) 15-64 years: 53% (male 141,298/female 132,360) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 9,502/female 9,417) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.1 years male: 18.5 years female: 17.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.903% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 38.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 19.16 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 97.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 104.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 43.37 years male: 41.89 years female: 44.89 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 16,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian) Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 78% female: 58.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 4 years male: 5 years female: 4 years (2006) Education expenditures: 8.4% of GDP (2006) Government Djibouti Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti local long form: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti local short form: Djibouti/Jibuti former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland Government type: republic Capital: name: Djibouti geographic coordinates: 11 35 N, 43 09 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Constitution: multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4 March 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100% Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 2008 (next to be held 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP (coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH) 65 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed YOUSSOUF]; Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP (a coalition of parties including RPP, FRUD, PND, and PPSD) [Mohamed Dileita DILEITA]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ Political pressure groups and leaders: Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, and UDJ) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James C. SWAN embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center Economy Djibouti Economy - overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Two-thirds of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports and exports from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia represent 85% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of nearly 60% continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.93 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $973 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.2% industry: 14.9% services: 81.9% (2006) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 59% in urban areas, 83% in rural areas (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 42% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $135 million expenditures: $182 million (1999 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: NA Stock of money: $380 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $284.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $224.7 million (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides Industries: construction, agricultural processing Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity - production: 250 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 232.5 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 12,170 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 19 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 11,810 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$212 million (2007 est.) Exports: $340 million f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit) Exports - partners: Somalia 66.4%, Ethiopia 21.5%, Yemen 3.4% (2007) Imports: $1.555 billion f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 21%, India 18.1%, China 9.4%, Ethiopia 4.7%, Malaysia 4.6%, Japan 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $78.6 million (2005) Debt - external: $428 million (2006) Currency (code): Djiboutian franc (DJF) Currency code: DJF Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.71 (2007), 174.75 (2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003) Communications Djibouti Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country domestic: microwave radio relay network; mobile cellular coverage is primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city international: country code - 253; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat); Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .dj Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Djibouti Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Railways: total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but remains largely inoperable (2006) Roadways: total: 3,065 km paved: 1,226 km unpaved: 1,839 km (2000) Ports and terminals: Djibouti Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom Military Djibouti Military branches: Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 111,274 females age 16-49: 105,168 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 55,173 females age 16-49: 52,825 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 5,778 female: 5,771 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Djibouti Disputes - international: Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008 restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 8,642 (Somalia) (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Ashmore and Cartier Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Ashmore and Cartier Islands Introduction Ashmore and Cartier Islands Background: These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, became a marine reserve in 2000. Geography Ashmore and Cartier Islands Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 74.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical Terrain: low with sand and coral Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards Environment - current issues: illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000 People Ashmore and Cartier Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only Government Ashmore and Cartier Islands Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Ashmore and Cartier Islands Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Ashmore and Cartier Islands Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military Ashmore and Cartier Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Transnational Issues Ashmore and Cartier Islands Disputes - international: as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia, these islands became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Palau a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Palau Introduction Palau Background: After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence 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 independence. Geography Palau Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 458 sq km land: 458 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,519 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: arable land: 8.7% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 86.95% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December) Environment - current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands People Palau Population: 20,796 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.9% (male 2,458/female 2,314) 15-64 years: 70.8% (male 8,207/female 6,521) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 401/female 895) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 32.2 years male: 32 years female: 32.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.428% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 17.4 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.26 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.45 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.22 years male: 68.08 years female: 74.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan Ethnic groups: Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census) Religions: Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census) Languages: Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2000) Education expenditures: 10.3% of GDP (2002) Government Palau Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local long form: Beluu er a Belau local short form: Belau former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 Capital: name: Melekeok geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Constitution: 1 January 1981 Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009) cabinet: NA elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: Johnson TORIBIONG (51%) defeats Elias Camsek CHIN (49%) for president; Kerai MARIUR elected vice president Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 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) elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, ADB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 consulate(s) general: Honolulu consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Mark BEZNER embassy: Koror (no street address) mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911 Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Economy Palau Economy - overview: The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provided Palau with up to $700 million in US aid for the following 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 85,000 in 2007. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly 50% higher than that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. GDP (purchasing power parity): $164 million note: GDP estimates includes US subsidy (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $164 million (2008) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,100 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2% industry: 12% services: 81.8% (2003) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 20% industry: NA% services: NA% Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $114.8 million expenditures: $99.5 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2005 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production by source: NA Current account balance: $15.09 million (FY03/04) Exports: $5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: shellfish, tuna, copra, garments Imports: $107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs Economic aid - recipient: $23.46 million (2005) Debt - external: $0 (FY99/00) Currency (code): US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications Palau Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 1 (cable) (2005) Televisions: Internet country code: .pw Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Transportation Palau Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007) Roadways: note: estimated to have 60 km of roads as of 1996 Ports and terminals: Koror Military Palau Military branches: no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 5,973 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,177 females age 16-49: 3,936 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 207 female: 214 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA 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 years, but it has not stationed any military forces there (2008) Transnational Issues Palau Disputes - international: maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Russia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Russia Introduction Russia Background: Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Communist rule and 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 Russia and 14 other independent republics. Since then, Russia has shifted its post-Soviet democratic ambitions in favor of a centralized semi-authoritarian state whose legitimacy is buttressed, in part, by carefully managed national elections, former President PUTIN's genuine popularity, and the prudent management of Russia's windfall energy wealth. Russia has severely disabled a Chechen rebel movement, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus. Geography Russia Location: Northern Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part of Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 100 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 17,075,200 sq km land: 16,995,800 sq km water: 79,400 sq km Area - comparative: approximately 1.8 times the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 20,241.5 km border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 17.5 km, Latvia 292 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 1,576 km Coastline: 37,653 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast Terrain: broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m Natural resources: wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources Land use: arable land: 7.17% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.72% (2005) Irrigated land: 46,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 4,498 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 76.68 cu km/yr (19%/63%/18%) per capita: 535 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia Environment - current issues: air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 Geography - note: largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak People Russia Population: 140,041,247 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.8% (male 10,644,833/female 10,095,011) 15-64 years: 71.5% (male 48,004,040/female 52,142,313) 65 years and over: 13.7% (male 5,880,877/female 13,274,173) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 38.4 years male: 35.2 years female: 41.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.467% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 11.03 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 16.06 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 73% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.44 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.03 years male: 59.33 years female: 73.14 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 940,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 40,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and tickborne encephalitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds Nationality: noun: Russian(s) adjective: Russian Ethnic groups: Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Bashkir 1.2%, Chuvash 1.1%, other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census) Religions: Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule Languages: Russian, many minority languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2002 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2005) Government Russia Country name: conventional long form: Russian Federation conventional short form: Russia local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya local short form: Rossiya former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Government type: federation Capital: name: Moscow geographic coordinates: 55 45 N, 37 35 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Russia is divided into 11 time zones Administrative divisions: 46 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics (respublik, singular - respublika), 4 autonomous okrugs (avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 9 krays (krayev, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (goroda, singular - gorod), and 1 autonomous oblast (avtonomnaya oblast') oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver', Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl' republics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas), Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk), Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordoviya (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk) autonomous okrugs: Chukotka (Anadyr'), Khanty-Mansi (Khanty-Mansiysk), Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard) krays: Altay (Barnaul), Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm', Primorskiy [Maritime] (Vladivostok), Stavropol', Zabaykal'sk (Chita) federal cities: Moscow (Moskva), Saint Petersburg (Sankt-Peterburg) autonomous oblast: Yevrey [Jewish] (Birobidzhan) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Russia Day, 12 June (1990) Constitution: adopted 12 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV (since 7 May 2008) head of government: Premier Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (since 8 May 2008); First Deputy Premiers Igor Ivanovich SHUVALOV and Viktor Alekseyevich ZUBKOV (since 12 May 2008); Deputy Premiers Sergey Borisovich IVANOV (since 12 May 2008), Dmitriy Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008), Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 24 September 2007), Igor Ivanovich SECHIN (since 12 May 2008), Sergey Semenovich SOBYANIN (since 12 May 2008), Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9 March 2004), and Dmitry Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008) cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of the premier and his deputies, ministers, and selected other individuals; 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 elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, 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 election results: Dmitriy MEDVEDEV elected president; percent of vote - Dmitry MEDVEDEV 70.2%, Gennady ZYUGANOV 17.7%, Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKY 9.4%, Andrey BOGDONOV 1.3% Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of an upper house, the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (168 seats; as of July 2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in each of the 84 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; to serve four-year terms) and a lower house, the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; as of 2007, all members elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at least 7% of the vote; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: State Duma - last held 2 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: State Duma - United Russia 64.3%, CPRF 11.5%, LDPR 8.1%, Just Russia 7.7%, other 8.4%; total seats by party - United Russia 315, CPRF 57, LDPR 40, Just Russia 38 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Supreme Arbitration Court; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF [Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Just Russia [Sergey MIRONOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Patriots of Russia [Gennadiy SEMIGIN]; People's Union [Sergey BABURIN]; Right Cause [Leonid Yakovlevich GOZMAN, Boris Yuriyevich TITOV, and Georgiy Georgiyevich BOVT] (registration pending; formed from merger of Union of Right Forces, Democratic Party of Russia, and Civic Force); United Russia [Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN]; Yabloko Party [Sergey Sergeyevich MITROKHIN] Political pressure groups and leaders: All-Russian Confederation of Labor; Baikal Environmental Wave; Federation of Independent Labor Unions of Russia; Freedom of Choice Interregional Organization of Automobilists; Glasnost Defense Foundation; Golos Association in Defense of Voters' Rights; Greenpeace Russia; Human Rights Watch (Russian chapter); Institute for Collective Action; Memorial (human rights group); Movement Against Illegal Migration; Pamjat (preservation of historical monuments and recording of history); Russian Orthodox Church; Russian-Chechen Friendship Society; SOVA Analytical-Information Center; Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers; World Wildlife Fund (Russian chapter) International organization participation: APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, G-20, G-8, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sergey Ivanovich KISLYAK chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708 FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John R. BEYRLE embassy: Bolshoy Deviatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721 telephone: [7] (495) 728-5000 FAX: [7] (495) 728-5090 consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red Economy Russia Economy - overview: Russia ended 2008 with GDP growth of 6.0%, following 10 straight years of growth averaging 7% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Over the last six years, fixed capital investment growth and personal income growth have averaged above 10%, but both grew at slower rates in 2008. Growth in 2008 was driven largely by non-tradable services and domestic manufacturing, rather than exports. During the past decade, poverty and unemployment declined steadily and the middle class continued to expand. Russia also improved its international financial position, running balance of payments surpluses since 2000. Foreign exchange reserves grew from $12 billion in 1999 to almost $600 billion by end July 2008, which include $200 billion in two sovereign wealth funds: a reserve fund to support budgetary expenditures in case of a fall in the price of oil and a national welfare fund to help fund pensions and infrastructure development. Total foreign debt is approximately one-third of GDP. The state component of foreign debt has declined, but commercial short-term debt to foreigners has risen strongly. These positive trends began to reverse in the second half of 2008. Investor concerns over the Russia-Georgia conflict, corporate governance issues, and the global credit crunch in September caused the Russian stock market to fall by roughly 70%, primarily due to margin calls that were difficult for many Russian companies to meet. The global crisis also affected Russia's banking system, which faced liquidity problems. Moscow responded quickly in early October 2008, initiating a rescue plan of over $200 billion that was designed to increase liquidity in the financial sector, to help firms refinance foreign debt, and to support the stock market. The government also unveiled a $20 billion tax cut plan and other safety nets for society and industry. Meanwhile, a 70% drop in the price of oil since mid-July further exacerbated imbalances in external accounts and the federal budget. In mid-November, mini-devaluations of the currency by the Central Bank caused increased capital flight and froze domestic credit markets, resulting in growing unemployment, wage arrears, and a severe drop in production. Foreign exchange reserves dropped to around $435 billion by end 2008, as the Central Bank defended an overvalued ruble. In the first year of his term, President MEDVEDEV outlined a number of economic priorities for Russia including improving infrastructure, innovation, investment, and institutions; reducing the state's role in the economy; reforming the tax system and banking sector; developing one of the biggest financial centers in the world, combating corruption, and improving the judiciary. The Russian government needs to diversify the economy further, as energy and other raw materials still dominate Russian export earnings and federal budget receipts. Russia's infrastructure requires large investments and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth. Corruption, lack of trust in institutions, and more recently, exchange rate uncertainty and the global economic crisis continue to dampen domestic and foreign investor sentiment. Russia has made some progress in building the rule of law, the bedrock of a modern market economy, but much work remains on judicial reform. Moscow continues to seek accession to the WTO and has made some progress, but its timeline for entry into the organization continues to slip, and the negotiating atmosphere has soured in the wake of the Georgia and global economic crises. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.225 trillion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.757 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $15,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.1% industry: 41.1% services: 54.8% (2007 est.) Labor force: 75.7 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 27.4% services: 62.4% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 15.8% (November 2007) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 30.4% (September 2007) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 41.5 (September 2008) Investment (gross fixed): 24.7% of GDP (2007 est.) Budget: revenues: $383.5 billion expenditures: $273.5 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 6.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.9% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 13% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $166.4 billion (October 2008) Stock of quasi money: $343 billion (October 2008) Stock of domestic credit: $503.7 billion (1 October 2008) Market value of publicly traded shares: $450 billion (15 December 2008 est.) Agriculture - products: grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef, milk Industries: complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced electronic components, 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, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 1.016 trillion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 1.003 trillion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 18.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 6 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 66.3% hydro: 17.2% nuclear: 16.4% other: 0.1% (2003) Oil - production: 9.98 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2.699 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 5.17 million bbl/day (2007) Oil - imports: 54,000 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 79 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 654 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 481 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 173 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 68.2 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 44.65 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $97.6 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $476 billion (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures Exports - partners: Netherlands 12.2%, Italy 7.8%, Germany 7.5%, Turkey 5.2%, Belarus 5%, Ukraine 4.7%, China 4.5% (2007) Imports: $302 billion (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: vehicles, machinery and equipment, plastics, medicines, iron and steel, consumer goods, meat, fruits and nuts, semifinished metal products Imports - partners: Germany 13.3%, China 12.2%, Ukraine 6.7%, Japan 6.4%, US 4.8%, Belarus 4.4%, South Korea 4.4%, Italy 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $982.7 million in FY06 from US, including $847 million in non-proliferation subsidies Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $435.4 billion (12 December 2008) Debt - external: $527.1 billion (June 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $491.2 billion (2007) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $370.2 billion (2007) Currency (code): Russian ruble (RUB) Currency code: RUR Exchange rates: Russian rubles (RUB) per US dollar - 24.3 (2008 est.), 25.659 (2007), 27.19 (2006), 28.284 (2005), 28.814 (2004) Communications Russia Telephones - main lines in use: 43.9 million (2006) Telephones - mobile cellular: 170 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: the telephone system is experiencing significant changes; 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; the estimated number of mobile subscribers jumped from fewer than 1 million in 1998 to 170 million in 2007; a large demand for main line service remains unsatisfied, but fixed-line operators continue to grow their services domestic: 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 international: country code - 7; Russia is connected internationally by 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 systems Radio broadcast stations: AM 323, FM 1,500 est., shortwave 62 (2004) Radios: 61.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 60.5 million (1997) Internet country code: .ru; note - Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su" that was allocated to the Soviet Union and is being phased out Internet hosts: 4.822 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 300 (June 2000) Internet users: 30 million (2007) Transportation Russia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 601 over 3,047 m: 51 2,438 to 3,047 m: 197 1,524 to 2,437 m: 129 914 to 1,523 m: 102 under 914 m: 122 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 659 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 69 914 to 1,523 m: 89 under 914 m: 484 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate 122 km; gas 158,767 km; liquid petroleum gas 127 km; oil 74,285 km; refined products 13,658 km; water 23 km (2008) Railways: total: 87,157 km broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified) narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island) note: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrier lines serve industries (2006) Roadways: total: 933,000 km paved: 754,984 km (includes 30,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 178,016 km note: includes public, local, and departmental roads (2006) Waterways: 102,000 km (including 33,000 km with guaranteed depth) note: 72,000 km system in European Russia links Baltic Sea, White Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, and Black Sea (2007) Merchant marine: total: 1,074 by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 663, carrier 2, chemical tanker 27, combination ore/oil 34, container 11, passenger 14, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 217, refrigerated cargo 59, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 5 foreign-owned: 112 (Belgium 4, Cyprus 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Italy 4, South Korea 1, Latvia 2, Norway 2, Switzerland 3, Turkey 80, Ukraine 11, US 1) registered in other countries: 486 (Antigua and Barbuda 4, Bahamas 4, Belize 31, Bulgaria 1, Cambodia 83, Comoros 12, Cyprus 50, Dominica 3, Georgia 12, Hong Kong 2, Jamaica 3, Liberia 94, Malaysia 2, Malta 58, Marshall Islands 9, Moldova 3, Mongolia 9, Panama 18, Saint Kitts and Nevis 19, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 21, Sierra Leone 11, Slovakia 1, Tuvalu 2, Ukraine 1, Vanuatu 2, unknown 31) (2008) Ports and terminals: Azov, Kaliningrad, Kavkaz, Nakhodka, Novorossiysk, Primorsk, Saint Petersburg, Vostochnyy Military Russia Military branches: Ground Forces (SV), Navy (VMF), Air Forces (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily, VVS); Airborne Troops (VDV), Strategic Rocket Troops (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN), and Space Troops (KV) are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches; Russian Ground Forces include the following combat arms: motorized-rifle troops, tank troops, missile and artillery troops, air defense of ground troops (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; service obligation - 1 year; reserve obligation to age 50; as of July 2008, a draft military strategy called for the draft to continue up to the year 2030 (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 36,219,908 females age 16-49: 37,019,853 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 21,098,306 females age 16-49: 27,968,883 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 741,692 female: 706,081 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2005) Transnational Issues Russia Disputes - international: China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with the 2004 Agreement, ending their centuries-long border disputes; the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kurils," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting all but small, strategic segments of the land boundary and the maritime boundary; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed equidistance boundaries in the Caspian seabed but the littoral states have no consensus on dividing the water column; Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone; various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia (Kareliya) and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union following the Second World War but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands; in May 2005, Russia recalled its signatures to the 1996 border agreements with Estonia (1996) and Latvia (1997), when the two Baltic states announced issuance of unilateral declarations referencing Soviet occupation and ensuing territorial losses; Russia demands better treatment of ethnic Russians in Estonia and Latvia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as an EU member state with an EU external border, where strict Schengen border rules apply; preparations for the demarcation delimitation of land boundary with Ukraine have commenced; the dispute over the boundary between Russia and Ukraine through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov remains unresolved despite a December 2003 framework agreement and on-going expert-level discussions; Kazakhstan and Russia boundary delimitation was ratified on November 2005 and field demarcation should commence in 2007; Russian Duma has not yet ratified 1990 Bering Sea Maritime Boundary Agreement with the US Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 18,000-160,000 (displacement from Chechnya and North Ossetia) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Russia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for various purposes; it remains a significant source of women trafficked to over 50 countries for commercial sexual exploitation; Russia is also a transit and destination country for men and women trafficked from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and North Korea to Central and Western Europe and the Middle East for purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; internal trafficking remains a problem in Russia with women trafficked from rural areas to urban centers for commercial sexual exploitation, and men trafficked internally and from Central Asia for forced labor in the construction and agricultural industries; debt bondage is common among trafficking victims, and child sex tourism remains a concern tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Russia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for a fifth consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking over the previous year, particularly in providing assistance to victims of trafficking; comprehensive trafficking victim assistance legislation, which would address key deficiencies, has been pending before the Duma since 2003 and was neither passed nor enacted in 2007 (2008) Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are key concerns; major consumer of opiates This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Gibraltar a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Gibraltar Introduction Gibraltar Background: Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since the referendum, tripartite talks on other issues have been held with Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, and in September 2006 a three-way agreement was signed. Spain agreed to remove restrictions on air movements, to speed up customs procedures, to implement international telephone dialing, and to allow mobile roaming agreements. Britain agreed to pay increased pensions to Spaniards who had been employed in Gibraltar before the border closed. Spain will be allowed to open a cultural institute from which the Spanish flag will fly. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect in 2007, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Geography Gibraltar Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain Geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: a little less than one half the size of Rhode Island Land boundaries: total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km Coastline: 12 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant Geography - note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea People Gibraltar Population: 28,034 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,393/female 2,276) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 9,532/female 9,219) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 2,125/female 2,489) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 40.5 years male: 39.9 years female: 41 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.111% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 10.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.46 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.19 years male: 77.3 years female: 83.22 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans Religions: Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census) Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese Literacy: definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA female: NA Education expenditures: NA Government Gibraltar Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: NA Capital: name: Gibraltar geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain Constitution: 5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007 Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been residents six months or more Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Robert FULTON (since 27 October 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the Speaker appointed by Parliament; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than October 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%, Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 4, Gibraltar Liberal Party 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau), UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Economy Gibraltar Economy - overview: Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.066 billion (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.066 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,200 (2005 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Labor force: 12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: negligible industry: 40% services: 60% (2001) Unemployment rate: 3% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $455.1 million expenditures: $423.6 million (2005 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Public debt: 15.7% of GDP (2005 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Agriculture - products: none Industries: tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 142 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 142 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 22,620 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 25,080 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $271 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% Imports: $2.967 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs Economic aid - recipient: $NA Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Gibraltar pound (GIP) Currency code: GIP Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.4993 (2007), 0.5434 (2006), 0.5504 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003) note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Communications Gibraltar Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .gi Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Gibraltar Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 29 km paved: 29 km (2007) Merchant marine: total: 240 by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 125, chemical tanker 51, container 43, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 225 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 3, Germany 129, Greece 6, Iceland 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 21, Norway 33, Sweden 13, UAE 3, UK 2) registered in other countries: 7 (Liberia 5, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Gibraltar Military Gibraltar Military branches: Royal Gibraltar Regiment Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 6,308 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,234 females age 16-49: 5,242 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 186 female: 179 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992 Transnational Issues Gibraltar Disputes - international: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Gaza Strip a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Gaza Strip Introduction Gaza Strip Background: The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of Presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement. Geography Gaza Strip Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Geographic coordinates: 31 25 N, 34 20 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 360 sq km land: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m Natural resources: arable land, natural gas Land use: arable land: 29% permanent crops: 21% other: 50% (2002) Irrigated land: 150 sq km; note - includes West Bank (2003) Natural hazards: droughts Environment - current issues: desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources Geography - note: strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history People Gaza Strip Population: 1,551,859 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 353,489/female 334,770) 15-64 years: 53% (male 420,618/female 402,297) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 16,483/female 24,202) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.4 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 3.349% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 37.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 3.53 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.42 years male: 71.82 years female: 75.12 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.03 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99.3%, Christian 0.7% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.4% male: 96.7% female: 88% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: NA Government Gaza Strip Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah Economy Gaza Strip Economy - overview: High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external security controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA)- even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifada in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed to address security concerns in Israel, disrupted labor and trade access to and from the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offered some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, but Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive after HAMAS violently took over the territory in June 2007, have resulted in widespread private sector layoffs and shortages of most goods. GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.95 billion (includes West Bank) (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $6.641 billion (includes West Bank) (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.8% (includes West Bank) (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,900 (includes West Bank) (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 13% services: 79% (includes West Bank) (2007 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12% industry: 5% services: 83% (June 2008) Unemployment rate: 41.3% (June 2008) Population below poverty line: 80% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.149 billion expenditures: $2.31 billion note: includes West Bank (2006) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.5% (includes West Bank) (2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.73% (31 December 2006) Stock of money: $1.574 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $3.048 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.455 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: olives, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers, beef, dairy products Industries: textiles, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (includes West Bank) (2005) Electricity - production: 140,000 kWh (2005) Electricity - consumption: 230,000 kWh (2005) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008) Electricity - imports: 90,000 kWh; note - from Israeli Electric Company (2005) Exports: $339 million f.o.b.; (includes West Bank) (2006) Exports - commodities: citrus, flowers, textiles Imports: $2.84 billion c.i.f.; (includes West Bank) (2006) Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials Economic aid - recipient: $1.4 billion; (includes West Bank) (2006 est.) Debt - external: Currency (code): new Israeli shekel (ILS) Currency code: ILS Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004) Communications Gaza Strip Telephones - main lines in use: 350,400 (includes West Bank) (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.026 million (includes West Bank) (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 (2004) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008) Radios: NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: NA; note - most Palestinian households have televisions (1997) Internet country code: .ps; note - same as West Bank Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 355,500 (includes West Bank) (2007) Transportation Gaza Strip Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Heliports: Roadways: note: see entry for West Bank Ports and terminals: Gaza Military Gaza Strip Military branches: in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian Authority is not permitted conventional military forces; there are, however, public security forces (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 337,670 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 312,003 females age 16-49: 297,380 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 19,147 female: 18,200 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues Gaza Strip Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1.017 million (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Guernsey a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Guernsey Introduction Guernsey Background: Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Geography Guernsey Location: Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 49 28 N, 2 35 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 78 sq km land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 50 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m Natural resources: cropland Land use: arable land: NA permanent crops: NA other: NA Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port People Guernsey Population: 65,870 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 4,793/female 4,668) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,058/female 22,433) 65 years and over: 18.1% (male 5,078/female 6,840) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.5 years male: 41.4 years female: 43.4 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.21% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 8.57 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 10.09 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 3.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.77 years male: 77.76 years female: 83.88 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other European countries Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Languages: English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government Guernsey Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Saint Peter Port geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; justice is administered by the Royal Court Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005) head of government: Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008) cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Deliberation election results: Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of vote of the States of Deliberation NA Legislative branch: unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments elections: last held 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents Judicial branch: Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Political pressure groups and leaders: Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety or STEPS; No More Masts [Colin FALLAIZE] International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Economy Guernsey Economy - overview: Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under which Guernsey operates. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.742 billion (2005) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.742 billion (2005) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 10% services: 87% (2000) Labor force: 31,470 (March 2006) Unemployment rate: 0.9% (March 2006 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $563.6 million expenditures: $530.9 million (2005 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (June 2006) Agriculture - products: tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle Industries: tourism, banking Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption: NA kWh Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment Economic aid - recipient: $NA Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Guernsey pound note: the British pound is also legal tender Currency code: GBP Exchange rates: Guernsey pound 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Communications Guernsey Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: 1 submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: Televisions: NA Internet country code: .gg Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: Transportation Guernsey Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Ports and terminals: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Military Guernsey Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 12,447 females age 16-49: 12,566 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 362 female: 351 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Guernsey Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Zimbabwe a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Zimbabwe Introduction Zimbabwe Background: The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete 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. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. The ruling ZANU-PF party used fraud and intimidation to win a two-thirds majority in the March 2005 parliamentary election, allowing it to amend the constitution at will and recreate the Senate, which had been abolished in the late 1980s. In April 2005, Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition. President MUGABE in June 2007 instituted price controls on all basic commodities causing panic buying and leaving store shelves empty for months. General elections held in March 2008 contained irregularities but still amounted to a censure of the ZANU-PF-led government with significant gains in opposition seats in parliament. MDC opposition leader Morgan TSVANGIRAI won the presidential polls, and may have won an out right majority, but official results posted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Committee did not reflect this. In the lead up to a run-off election in late June 2008, considerable violence enacted against opposition party members led to the withdrawal of TSVANGIRAI from the ballot. Extensive evidence of vote tampering and ballot-box stuffing resulted in international condemnation of the process. Difficult negotiations over a power sharing agreement, allowing MUGABE to remain as president and creating the new position of prime minister for TSVANGIRAI, were finally settled in February 2009. Geography Zimbabwe Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 390,580 sq km land: 386,670 sq km water: 3,910 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Montana Land boundaries: total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals Land use: arable land: 8.24% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 91.43% (2005) Irrigated land: 1,740 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 20 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 4.21 cu km/yr (14%/7%/79%) per capita: 324 cu m/yr (2002) Natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare Environment - current issues: deforestation; 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 poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water People Zimbabwe Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.9% (male 2,523,119/female 2,473,928) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 2,666,928/female 3,283,474) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 194,360/female 250,820) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 17.6 years male: 16.3 years female: 18.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.53% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 31.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 17.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 32.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.77 years male: 46.36 years female: 45.16 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.69 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 15.3% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.3 million (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 140,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2008) Nationality: noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean Ethnic groups: African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 90.7% male: 94.2% female: 87.2% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2003) Education expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (2000) Government Zimbabwe Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Harare geographic coordinates: 17 50 S, 31 03 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980) Constitution: 21 December 1979 Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joseph MSIKA (since December 1999) and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Morgan TSVANGIRAI (since 11 February 2009); cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: 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 for a five-year term (no term limits); elections last held 28 March 2008 followed by a run-off on 27 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 85.5%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 9.3%, other 5.2%; note - first round voting results - Morgan TSVANGIRAI 47.9%, Robert Gabriel MUGABE 43.2%, Simba MAKONI 8.3%, other 0.6%; first-round round polls were deemed to be flawed suppressing TSVANGIRAI's results; the 27 June 2008 run-off between MUGABE and TSVANGIRAI were severely flawed and internationally condemned Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate (93 seats - 60 elected by popular vote for a five-year term, 10 provincial governors nominated by the president, 16 traditional chiefs elected by the Council of Chiefs, 2 held by the president and deputy president of the Council of Chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president) and a House of Assembly (210 seats - all elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - MDC 51.6%, ZANU-PF 45.8%, other 2.6%; seats by party - MDC 30, ZANU-PF 30; House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - MDC 51.3%, ZANU-PF 45.8%, other 2.9%; seats by party - MDC 109, ZANU-PF 97, other 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court Political parties and leaders: African National Party or ANP [Egypt DZINEMUNHENZVA]; Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI, Arthur MUTAMBARA, splinter faction]; Peace Action is Freedom for All or PAFA; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; United People's Party or UPP [Daniel SHUMBA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA]; Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance or ZIYA Political pressure groups and leaders: Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Xolani ZITHA]; National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Women of Zimbabwe Arise or WOZA [Jenny WILLIAMS]; Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Wellington CHIBEBE] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Machivenyika MAPURANGA chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James D. MCGEE embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 and 250-594 FAX: [263] (4) 796-488, or 722-618 Flag description: seven 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 representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people Economy Zimbabwe Economy - overview: The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal deficit, an overvalued official exchange rate, hyperinflation, and bare store shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has badly damaged the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of food products. The EU and the US provide food aid on humanitarian grounds. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the government's arrears on past loans and the government's unwillingness to enact reforms that would stabilize the economy. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe routinely prints money to fund the budget deficit, causing the official annual inflation rate to rise from 32% in 1998, to 133% in 2004, 585% in 2005, passed 1000% in 2006, and 26000% in November 2007, and to 11.2 million percent in 2008. Meanwhile, the official exchange rate fell from approximately 1 (revalued) Zimbabwean dollar per US dollar in 2003 to 30,000 per US dollar in September 2007. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.292 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $4.548 billion note: hyperinflation and the plunging value of the Zimbabwean dollar makes Zimbabwe's GDP at the official exchange rate a highly inaccurate statistic (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -6.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18.1% industry: 22.6% services: 59.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 4.039 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 66% industry: 10% services: 24% (1996) Unemployment rate: 80% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 40.4% (1995) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 17.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $153,700 expenditures: $179,300 (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 241.2% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.2 million% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 975% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 578.96% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $14.18 billion note: This number reflects the vastly overvalued official exchange rate of 30,000 Zimbabwe dollars per US dollar. At an unofficial rate of 800,000 Zimbabwe dollars per US dollar, the stock of Zimbabwe dollars would equal only about US$500 million and Zimbabwe's velocity of money (the number of times money turns over in the course of a year) would be nine, in line with the velocity of money for other countries in the region. (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.349 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $24.91 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $5.333 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs Industries: mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages Industrial production growth rate: -6% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 9.467 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 11.59 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 34 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - imports: 2.867 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 53% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 14,590 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 15,800 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$597 million (2008 est.) Exports: $1.806 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing Exports - partners: South Africa 33.8%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.3%, Japan 8.1%, Botswana 7.4%, Netherlands 5.2%, China 5.2%, Italy 4.1%, Zambia 4.1% (2007) Imports: $2.337 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels Imports - partners: South Africa 50.7%, China 8.4%, US 4.5%, Botswana 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $367.7 million (2005 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $100 million (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $5.255 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD) Currency code: ZWD Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - NA (2008 est.), 30,000 (2007), 162.07 (2006), 77.965 (2005), 5.729 (2004) note: these are official exchange rates; non-official rates vary significantly Communications Zimbabwe Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.226 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: 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 domestic: 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 international: country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; 2 international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 1.14 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .zw Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 1.351 million (2007) Transportation Zimbabwe Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 10 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 322 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 152 under 914 m: 166 (2007) Pipelines: refined products 270 km (2008) Railways: total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2006) Roadways: total: 97,267 km paved: 18,481 km unpaved: 78,786 km (2002) Waterways: on Lake Kariba (2008) Ports and terminals: Binga, Kariba Military Zimbabwe Military branches: Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for compulsory military service; women are eligible to serve (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 3,264,258 females age 16-49: 3,048,049 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,198,727 females age 16-49: 1,436,232 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 149,592 female: 149,717 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Zimbabwe Disputes - international: Botswana built electric fences and South Africa has placed military along the border to stem the flow of thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape political persecution; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 2,500 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 569,685 (MUGABE-led political violence, human rights violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Zimbabwe is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; large scale migration of Zimbabweans to surrounding countries - as they flee a progressively more desperate situation at home - has increased; rural Zimbabwean men, women, and children are trafficked internally to farms for agricultural labor and domestic servitude and to cities for domestic labor and commercial sexual exploitation; young men and boys are trafficked to South Africa for farm work, often laboring for months in South Africa without pay before "employers" have them arrested and deported as illegal immigrants; young women and girls are lured abroad with false employment offers that result in involuntary domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation; men, women, and children from neighboring states are trafficked through Zimbabwe en route to South Africa tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Zimbabwe is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of human trafficking, and because the absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is significantly increasing; the trafficking situation in the country is worsening as more of the population is made vulnerable by declining socio-economic conditions (2008) Illicit drugs: transit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines en route to South Africa This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Guinea-Bissau a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Guinea-Bissau Introduction Guinea-Bissau Background: Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. Despite setting a path to a market economy and multiparty system, VIEIRA's regime was characterized by the suppression of political opposition and the purging of political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In 1994 VIEIRA was elected president in the country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting civil war in 1998 eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in May 1999. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA, after he was elected president in transparent polling. In September 2003, after only three years in office, YALA was ousted by the military in a bloodless coup, and businessman Henrique ROSA was sworn in as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was re-elected president pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation. He was assassinated in March 2009; new elections are to take place in April 2009. Geography Guinea-Bissau Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 36,120 sq km land: 28,000 sq km water: 8,120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km Coastline: 350 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum Land use: arable land: 8.31% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 84.77% (2005) Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 31 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.18 cu km/yr (13%/5%/82%) per capita: 113 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland People Guinea-Bissau Population: 1,533,964 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 312,253/female 313,609) 15-64 years: 56.1% (male 414,924/female 445,639) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 19,191/female 28,348) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 19.3 years male: 18.7 years female: 19.8 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.019% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 36.4 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 16.05 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 99.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 109.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 89.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.9 years male: 46.07 years female: 49.79 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.8% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 16,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2008) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic groups: African 99% (includes Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% Religions: Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10% Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.4% male: 58.1% female: 27.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 5 years male: 7 years female: 4 years (2001) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (1999) Government Guinea-Bissau Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea Government type: republic Capital: name: Bissau geographic coordinates: 11 51 N, 15 35 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos Independence: 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 September (1973) Constitution: 16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and in 1996 Legal system: based on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Raimundo PEREIRA, who as Parliamentary Speaker succeeded President VIERA following VIERA's assassination on 2 March 2009; the constitution requires that a presidential election be held within two months head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 25 December 2008) cabinet: NA elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 July 2005 (next to be held within two months following the assassination of President VIERA on 2 March 2009); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the legislature election results: Joao Bernardo VIEIRA elected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52.4%, Malam Bacai SANHA 47.6% Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 November 2008 (next to be held 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 49.8%, PRS 25.3%, PRID 7.5%, PND 2.4%, AD 1.4%, other parties 13.6%; seats by party - PAIGC 67, PRS 28, PRID 3, PND 1, AD 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine justices appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at more than $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases valued at less than $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases) Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Carlos GOMES Junior]; Party for Social Renewal or PRS [Kumba YALA]; Democratic Alliance or AD [Victor MANDINGA]; Democratic Social Front or FDS [Rafael BARBOSA]; Electoral Union or UE [Joaquim BALDE]; Guinea-Bissau Civic Forum/Social Democracy or FCGSD [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; Guinea-Bissau Democratic Party or PDG; Guinea-Bissau Socialist Democratic Party or PDSG [Serifo BALDE]; Labor and Solidarity Party or PST [Iancuba INDJAI]; New Democracy Party or PND; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP; Progress Party or PP; Republican Party for Independence and Development or PRID [Aristides GOMES]; Union for Change or UM [Amine SAAD]; Union of Guinean Patriots or UPG [Francisca VAZ]; United Platform or UP (coalition formed by PCD, FDS, FLING, and RGB-MB); United Popular Alliance or APU; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD [Frnacisco FADUL] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and military-led junta; the US Ambassador to Senegal is accredited to Guinea-Bissau Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Guinea-Bissau Economy - overview: One of the five poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks fifth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect. Offshore oil prospecting is underway in several sectors but has not yet led to commercially viable crude deposits. The inequality of income distribution is one of the most extreme in the world. The government and international donors continue to work out plans to forward economic development from a lamentably low base. In December 2003, the World Bank, IMF, and UNDP were forced to step in to provide emergency budgetary support in the amount of $107 million for 2004, representing over 80% of the total national budget. Government drift and indecision, however, resulted in continued low growth in 2002-06. Higher raw material prices boosted growth to 3.7% in 2007 and 3.9% in 2008. GDP (purchasing power parity): $904.4 million (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $442 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.9% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $600 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 62% industry: 12% services: 26% (1999 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 82% industry and services: 18% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 42.4% (1991) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 4.25% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $142.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $12.04 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $46.44 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks Industrial production growth rate: 4.7% (2003 est.) Electricity - production: 60 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 55.8 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,520 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 2,560 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$6 million (2007 est.) Exports: $133 million f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber Exports - partners: Brazil 56.2%, India 33.6%, Nigeria 8.3% (2007) Imports: $200 million f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products Imports - partners: Portugal 21.7%, Senegal 16.8%, France 6%, Pakistan 4.7% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $79.12 million (2005) Debt - external: $941.5 million (2000 est.) Currency (code): Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States Currency code: XOF; GWP Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro Communications Guinea-Bissau Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: small system domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and cellular communications; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 20 per 100 in 2007 international: country code - 245 Radio broadcast stations: AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: NA Internet country code: .gw Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Guinea-Bissau Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 19 (2007) Roadways: total: 3,455 km paved: 965 km unpaved: 2,490 km (2002) Waterways: rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior (2008) Ports and terminals: Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim Military Guinea-Bissau Military branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary force Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 344,087 females age 16-49: 347,886 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 194,110 females age 16-49: 200,660 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 16,957 female: 17,172 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Guinea-Bissau Disputes - international: in 2006, political instability within Senegal's Casamance region resulted in thousands of Senegalese refugees, cross-border raids, and arms smuggling into Guinea-Bissau Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,454 (Senegal) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Guinea-Bissau is a source country for children trafficked primarily for forced begging and forced agricultural labor to other West African countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for the second year in a row, Guinea-Bissau is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, as evidenced by the continued failure to pass an anti-trafficking law and inadequate efforts to investigate or prosecute trafficking crimes or convict and punish trafficking offenders (2008) Illicit drugs: increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine enroute to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug smuggling This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Peru a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Peru Introduction Peru Background: Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his ouster in 2000. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government - Peru's first democratically elected president of Native American ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, returned to the presidency with promises to improve social conditions and maintain fiscal responsibility. Geography Peru Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,285,220 sq km land: 1.28 million sq km water: 5,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 7,461 km border countries: Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km Coastline: 2,414 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas Land use: arable land: 2.88% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 96.65% (2005) Irrigated land: 12,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 1,913 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 20.13 cu km/yr (8%/10%/82%) per capita: 720 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity Environment - current issues: deforestation (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 wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River People Peru Population: 29,546,963 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.1% (male 4,370,923/female 4,216,364) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 9,695,270/female 9,574,018) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 796,631/female 893,757) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 26.1 years male: 25.8 years female: 26.4 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.229% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 19.77 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.16 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 28.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.74 years male: 68.88 years female: 72.69 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.37 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 76,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,300 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, Oroya fever, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian Ethnic groups: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 81%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other Christian 0.7%, other 0.6%, unspecified or none 16.3% (2003 est.) Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number of minor Amazonian languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.7% male: 93.5% female: 82.1% (2004 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2006) Government Peru Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Peru conventional short form: Peru local long form: Republica del Peru local short form: Peru Government type: constitutional republic Capital: name: Lima geographic coordinates: 12 03 S, 77 03 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province* (provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Constitution: 29 December 1993 Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note - for the first time in recent elections, members of the military and national police were eligible to vote in the 2006 elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006) note: Prime Minister Yehude SIMON Munaro (since 14 October 2008) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a nonconsecutive reelection); presidential and congressional elections held 9 April 2006 with runoff election held 4 June 2006; next to be held in April 2011 election results: Alan GARCIA Perez elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alan GARCIA Perez 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALA Tasso 47.5% Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 2006 (next to be held in April 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 21.2%, PAP 20.6%, UN 15.3%, AF 13.1%, FC 7.1%, PP 4.1%, RN 4.0%, other 14.6%; seats by party - UPP 45, PAP 36, UN 17, AF 13, FC 5, PP 2, RN 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary) Political parties and leaders: Alliance For Progress (Alianza Para El Progreso) [Cesar ACUNA Peralta]; Alliance For The Future (Alianza Por El Futuro) or AF (a coalition of pro-FUJIMORI parties including Cambio 90, Nueva Mayoria, and Si Cumple); Central Front (Frente Del Centro) or FC (a coalition of Accion Popular, Somos Peru, and Coordinadora Nacional de Independientes) [Victor Andres GARCIA Belaunde]; National Renovation Party (Partido Renovacion Nacional) [Rafael REY]; National Restoration Party (Restauracion Nacional) or RN [Humberto LAY Sun]; National Solidarity Party (Partido Solidaridad Nacional) or SN [Luis CASTANEDA Lossio]; Peru Possible (Peru Posible) or PP [Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique]; Peruvian Aprista Party (Partido Aprista Peruano) or PAP [Alan GARCIA Perez] (also referred to by its original name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA); Peruvian Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista Peruano) or PNP [Ollanta HUMALA Tasso]; Popular Christian Party (Partido Popular Cristiano) or PPC [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Union for Peru (Union por el Peru) or UPP [Aldo ESTRADA Choque] Political pressure groups and leaders: General Workers Confederation of Peru (Confederacion General de Trabajadores del Peru) or CGTP [Mario HUAMAN]; Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) or SL [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)] (leftist guerrilla group); Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned), Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)] (leftist guerrilla group) International organization participation: APEC, CAN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis VALDIVIESO Montano chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador P. Michael MCKINLEY embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33 mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000 telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000 FAX: [51] (1) 618-2397 Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath Economy Peru Economy - overview: Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. The Peruvian economy grew by more than 4% per year during the period 2002-06, with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. Growth jumped to 9% per year in 2007 and 2008, driven by higher world prices for minerals and metals and the government's aggressive trade liberalization strategies. Peru's rapid expansion has helped to reduce the national poverty rate by about 15% since 2002, though underemployment and inflation remain high. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, overdependence on minerals and metals subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and poor infrastructure precludes the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. The United States and Peru completed negotiations on the implementation of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA), and the agreement entered into force February 1, 2009, opening the way to greater trade and investment between the two economies. GDP (purchasing power parity): $238.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $131.4 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 9.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,500 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.5% industry: 21.2% services: 70.3% (2008 est.) Labor force: 10.2 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.7% industry: 23.8% services: 75.5% (2005) Unemployment rate: 8.4% in metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 40.9% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 24.4% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $38.83 billion expenditures: $35.5 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 24.1% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 24.1% (December 2008) Stock of money: $14.66 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $19.95 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $17.88 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $57.23 billion (31 July 2008) Agriculture - products: asparagus, coffee, cocoa, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes, oranges, pineapples, guavas, bananas, apples, lemons, pears, coca, tomatoes, mango, barley, medicinal plants, palm oil, marigold, onion, wheat, dry beans; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish, guinea pigs Industries: mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas; fishing and fish processing, textiles, clothing, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 30.57 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - consumption: 28.97 billion kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0.8% (2001) Oil - production: 110,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 170,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 27,390 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - imports: 109,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 930 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 3.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 3.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 334.7 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$3.631 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $33.27 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products, coffee, potatoes, asparagus, textiles, fishmeal Exports - partners: US 19.5%, China 12.7%, Canada 7.6%, Japan 7.5%, Chile 5.9%, Switzerland 4.2%, Spain 4.1% (2007) Imports: $29.08 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles, iron and steel, wheat, paper Imports - partners: US 20.5%, China 10.8%, Brazil 9%, Ecuador 6.1%, Argentina 5.6%, Chile 5%, Colombia 4.8% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $397.8 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $31.79 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $35.46 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $32.14 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.476 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): nuevo sol (PEN) Currency code: PEN Exchange rates: nuevo sol (PEN) per US dollar - 2.91 (2008 est.), 3.1731 (2007), 3.2742 (2006), 3.2958 (2005), 3.4132 (2004) Communications Peru Telephones - main lines in use: 2.673 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 15.417 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate for most requirements domestic: fixed-line teledensity is only about 9 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, spurred by competition among multiple providers, has increased to roughly 55 telephones per 100 persons; nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: country code - 51; the South America-1 (SAM-1) and Pan American (PAN-AM) submarine cable systems provide links to parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999) Radios: 6.65 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: 3.06 million (1997) Internet country code: .pe Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 7.636 million (2007) Transportation Peru Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 54 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 183 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 40 under 914 m: 117 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: extra heavy crude 533 km; gas 1,078 km; liquid petroleum gas 654 km; oil 1,018 km; refined products 15 km (2008) Railways: total: 1,989 km standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 263 km 0.914-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 78,829 km paved: 11,351 km (includes 276 km of expressways) unpaved: 67,478 km (2004) Waterways: 8,808 km note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca (2008) Merchant marine: total: 8 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 4 foreign-owned: 1 (Bahamas 1) registered in other countries: 17 (Belize 1, Panama 16) (2008) Ports and terminals: Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Paita, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas; note - Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries Military Peru Military branches: Army of Peru (Ejercito Peruano), Navy of Peru (Marina de Guerra del Peru, MGP (includes naval air, naval infantry, and Coast Guard)), Air Force of Peru (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,653,898 females age 16-49: 7,531,329 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 5,920,716 females age 16-49: 6,359,803 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 310,575 female: 300,838 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Peru Disputes - international: Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilateral legislation to shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritime boundaries along the parallels of latitude to equidistance lines which favor Peru; organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's shared border; Peru rejects Bolivia's claim to restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the Peruvian border Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 60,000-150,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2007) Illicit drugs: until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru is now the world's second largest producer of coca leaf, though it lags far behind Colombia; cultivation of coca in Peru declined to 36,000 hectares in 2007; second largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 210 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipment to Europe and Africa; increasing domestic drug consumption This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Faroe Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Faroe Islands Introduction Faroe Islands Background: The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948. Geography Faroe Islands Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 1,399 sq km land: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) Area - comparative: eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,117 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas Land use: arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: Marine Dumping -associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution Geography - note: archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands People Faroe Islands Population: 48,856 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108) 15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 36.9 years male: 36.3 years female: 37.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.397% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 13.25 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.44 years male: 77 years female: 82.05 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.44 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic groups: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data) Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper Government Faroe Islands Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 Government type: NA Capital: name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) National holiday: Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes Prime Minister Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] Political pressure groups and leaders: Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales) other: conservationists International organization participation: Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag description: white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Faroe Islands Economy - overview: The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1 billion (2001 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.7 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (2005 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $31,000 (2001 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999) Labor force: 24,250 (October 2000) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 21.9% services: 66.9% (2007) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $588 million expenditures: $623 million (2005) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): Agriculture - products: milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish Industries: fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 8% (1999 est.) Electricity - production: 295 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 274.4 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 4,628 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 4,636 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $634 million f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) Exports - partners: Denmark 29.6%, UK 24.5%, Norway 13.3%, Nigeria 10.5%, Netherlands 6.8% (2007) Imports: $751 million c.i.f. (2006) Imports - commodities: consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999) Imports - partners: Denmark 51.9%, Norway 21.6%, Sweden 5%, UK 4.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $105 million; note - annual subsidy from Denmark (2005) Debt - external: $64 million (1999) Currency (code): Danish krone (DKK) Currency code: DKK Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) Communications Faroe Islands Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995) Televisions: Internet country code: .fo Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Faroe Islands Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 463 km (2006) Merchant marine: total: 12 by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3 foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008) Ports and terminals: Torshavn, Vagur Military Faroe Islands Military branches: no regular military forces Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 9,759 females age 16-49: 8,311 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 386 female: 375 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues Faroe Islands Disputes - international: because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Navassa Island a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Navassa Island Introduction Navassa Island Background: This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano. 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 and annual scientific expeditions have continued. Geography Navassa Island Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 35 miles west of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 5.4 sq km land: 5.4 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m Natural resources: guano Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Natural hazards: hurricanes Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock with numerous solution holes but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig trees, scattered cactus People Navassa Island Population: uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island Government Navassa Island Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Dependency status: unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior, from the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto Rico; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Navassa Island Economy - overview: Subsistence fishing and commercial trawling occur within refuge waters. Transportation Navassa Island Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military Navassa Island Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Navassa Island Disputes - international: claimed by Haiti, source of subsistence fishing This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Central African Republic a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Central African Republic Introduction Central African Republic Background: The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Unrest in neighboring nations, Chad, Sudan, and the DRC, continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well. Geography Central African Republic Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 622,984 sq km land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 96.75% (2005) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 144.4 cu km (2003) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%) per capita: 7 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa People Central African Republic Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.9% (male 928,277/female 917,739) 15-64 years: 55% (male 1,235,940/female 1,244,958) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 71,439/female 113,135) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.8 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.491% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 33.13 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 18.04 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 80.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 87.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 73.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.47 years male: 44.4 years female: 44.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.3% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 160,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2008) Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Ethnic groups: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Religions: indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.6% male: 64.8% female: 33.5% (2000 est.) Education expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2006) Government Central African Republic Country name: conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR Government type: republic Capital: name: Bangui geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Republic Day, 1 December (1958) Constitution: ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: under the new constitution, the president elected to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Political pressure groups and leaders: Monam (combating gender-base violence) International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Frederick B. COOK embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band Economy Central African Republic Economy - overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.262 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.087 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $700 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 20% services: 25% (2001 est.) Labor force: 1.857 million (2006) Unemployment rate: 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (1993) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Budget: revenues: $250 million expenditures: $273 million (2007 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $218.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $47.58 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $320.2 million (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber Industries: gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Industrial production growth rate: Electricity - production: 110 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 102.3 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 19.8% hydro: 80.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 2,322 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 2,057 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006) Current account balance: -$77 million (2007 est.) Exports: $146.7 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco Exports - partners: Belgium 22.7%, Indonesia 19.3%, Italy 7.7%, France 7.1%, Spain 6.9%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.8%, China 4.9%, Turkey 4.7% (2007) Imports: $237.3 million f.o.b. (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Imports - partners: France 16.6%, Netherlands 13%, Cameroon 9.7%, US 6.3% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: ODA, $95.29 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2005 est.) Debt - external: $1.153 billion (2007 est.) Currency (code): Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) Communications Central African Republic Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: limited telephone service; fixed-line connections for well less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular usage of only about 3 per 100 persons; most fixed-line and cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .cf Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Central African Republic Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 48 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 13 (2007) Roadways: total: 24,307 km (2000) Waterways: 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2007) Ports and terminals: Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Military Central African Republic Military branches: Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces, General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Military Air Service, National Police (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,032,828 females age 16-49: 999,330 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 552,907 females age 16-49: 512,611 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 55,484 female: 55,168 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Central African Republic Disputes - international: periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006 IDPs: 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Central African Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent, children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels conscript children into armed forces within the country tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Central African Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in 2007; efforts to address trafficking through vigorous law enforcement measures and victim protection efforts were minimal, though awareness about trafficking appeared to be increasing in the country; the government does not actively investigate cases, work to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, or rescue and provide care to victims; the government has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Equatorial Guinea a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Equatorial Guinea Introduction Equatorial Guinea Background: Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards. Geography Equatorial Guinea Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 28,051 sq km land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay Land use: arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 26 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%) per capita: 220 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: violent windstorms, flash floods Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: insular and continental regions widely separated People Equatorial Guinea Population: 633,441 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.9% (male 134,823/female 130,308) 15-64 years: 54% (male 167,820/female 174,238) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 11,574/female 14,678) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 18.9 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.703% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 37.04 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.72 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 82.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.61 years male: 60.71 years female: 62.54 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.08 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.4% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 11,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 370 (2001 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic groups: Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census) Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices Languages: Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87% male: 93.4% female: 80.5% (2000 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2000) Education expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2003) Government Equatorial Guinea Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale former: Spanish Guinea Government type: republic Capital: name: Malabo geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Constitution: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) head of government: Prime Minister Ignacio Milan TANG (since 8 July 2008); cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held December 2009); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud Legislative branch: unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1 note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Political parties and leaders: Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Electoral Coalition or EC; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE]; Popular Union or UP Political pressure groups and leaders: ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global Witness (anti-corruption) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 2220-1500 FAX: [237] 2220-1572 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) Economy Equatorial Guinea Economy - overview: The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993, because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Government officials and their family members own most businesses. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2008, led by oil. GDP (purchasing power parity): $18.62 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $20.16 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 11.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $30,200 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 92.6% services: 4.6% (2008 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: 30% (1998 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 30% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $7.056 billion expenditures: $3.779 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 9.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 5.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $835.2 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $174.5 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber Industries: petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 12.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 27 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 25.11 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.3% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 368,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 918 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 375,400 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 1,070 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 1.3 billion cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $1.837 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $15.82 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa Exports - partners: US 20.6%, China 18.8%, Spain 13.9%, Taiwan 13.4%, France 7.5%, Japan 6.5%, Portugal 6.4% (2007) Imports: $3.211 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum sector equipment, other equipment Imports - partners: US 19.6%, Spain 13.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 11.9%, France 9.6%, China 7.7%, Italy 6.6%, UK 6.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $39 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.517 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.652 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) Communications Equatorial Guinea Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage domestic: fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2007 stood at about 40 percent of the population international: country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .gq Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Equatorial Guinea Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2007) Pipelines: gas 38 km (2008) Roadways: total: 2,880 km (2000) Merchant marine: total: 1 by type: cargo 1 (2008) Ports and terminals: Bata, Malabo Military Equatorial Guinea Military branches: National Guard (Guardia Nacional (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) for compulsory military service (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 136,725 females age 16-49: 138,018 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 105,468 females age 16-49: 107,919 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 6,983 female: 6,726 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.1% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Equatorial Guinea Disputes - international: in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation; UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay Trafficking in persons: current situation: Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation; children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation; women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize mechanisms to provide assistance to victims; although the government made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation, it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in 2007; the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures for providing care to victims (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Jersey a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Jersey Introduction Jersey Background: Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Jersey is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Geography Jersey Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 49 15 N, 2 10 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 116 sq km land: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 70 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier People Jersey Population: 91,626 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 7,623/female 7,087) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 30,914/female 31,081) 65 years and over: 16.3% (male 6,614/female 8,307) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 42.9 years male: 42.1 years female: 43.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.211% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 8.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.36 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.75 years male: 77.23 years female: 82.46 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic groups: Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census) Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian Languages: English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) Literacy: NA Education expenditures: NA Government Jersey Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey conventional short form: Jersey Dependency status: British crown dependency Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Saint Helier geographic coordinates: 49 11 N, 2 06 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes including Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity Independence: none (British crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes; justice is administered by the Royal Court Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Terry LE SUEUR (12 December 2008); Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since February 1995) cabinet: Cabinet (since December 2005) elections: ministers of the Cabinet including the chief minister are elected by the Assembly of States; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 55 are voting members, of which 12 are senators elected for six-year terms, 12 are constables or heads of parishes elected for three-year terms, 29 are deputies elected for three-year terms, the bailiff and the deputy bailiff, and 3 non-voting members includes the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch) elections: last held 15 October 2008 for senators and 26 November 2008 for deputies (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55 Judicial branch: Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) Political parties and leaders: two declared parties: Centre Party; Jersey Democratic Alliance note: all senators and deputies elected in 2005 were independents Political pressure groups and leaders: Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support); Jersey Hospitality Association [Robert JONES] (trade association); Jersey Rights Association [David ROTHERHAM] (human rights); La Societe Jersiaise (education and conservation group); Progress Jersey [Darius J. PEARCE, Daren O'TOOLE, Gino RISOLI] (human rights); Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society or RJA&HS (development and management of the Jersey breed of cattle); Save Jersey's Heritage (protects heritage through building preservation) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency) Flag description: white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with the three lions of England in yellow Economy Jersey Economy - overview: Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2005 the finance sector accounted for about 50% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed, displacing more traditional industries. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come close to those of the UK. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.1 billion (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $5.1 billion (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita (PPP): $57,000 (2005 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 2% services: 97% (2005) Labor force: 53,560 (June 2006) Unemployment rate: 2.2% (2006 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $829 million expenditures: $851 million (2005) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (December 2006) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - consumption: 630.1 million kWh (2004 est.) Electricity - imports: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France Exports: $NA Exports - commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs, textiles Imports: $NA Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Jersey pound note: the British pound is also legal tender Currency code: GBP Exchange rates: Jersey pounds per US dollar 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Communications Jersey Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: state owned, partially-competitive market; increasingly modern, with some broadband access domestic: digital telephone system launch announced in 2006 and currently being implemented international: submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2008) Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (UK radio broadcasts carried via local relays) (2008) Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 (UK television carried by local relays with a switch to digital broadcasts scheduled for 2010) (2008) Televisions: NA Internet country code: .je Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA Internet users: Transportation Jersey Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 358 km (2002) Ports and terminals: Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Military Jersey Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 16,920 females age 16-49: 16,826 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 586 female: 541 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Jersey Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Australia a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Australia Introduction Australia Background: Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Geography Australia Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 27 00 S, 133 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 7,686,850 sq km land: 7,617,930 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 25,760 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum note: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports Land use: arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland) permanent crops: 0.04% other: 93.81% (2005) Irrigated land: 25,450 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 398 cu km (1995) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 24.06 cu km/yr (15%/10%/75%) per capita: 1,193 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires Environment - current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most consistent winds in the world People Australia Population: 21,262,641 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.6% (male 2,026,975/female 1,923,828) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,318,743/female 7,121,613) 65 years and over: 13.5% (male 1,306,329/female 1,565,153) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 37.3 years male: 36.6 years female: 38.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.195% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 12.55 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: 6.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 89% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.63 years male: 79.25 years female: 84.14 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 18,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 200 (2007 est.) Nationality: noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Ethnic groups: white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% Religions: Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001 Census) Languages: English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 20 years male: 20 years female: 21 years (2006) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2005) Government Australia Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Government type: federal parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Canberra geographic coordinates: 35 17 S, 149 13 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March note: Australia is divided into three time zones Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Kevin RUDD (since 3 December 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Julia GILLARD (since 3 December 2007) cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives) elections: Senate - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be held no later than 2010); House of Representatives - last held 24 November 2007 (next to be called no later than 2010) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 37, Australian Labor Party 32, Australian Greens 5, Family First Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 83, Liberal Party 55, National Party 10, independents 2 Judicial branch: High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general) Political parties and leaders: Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [Kevin RUDD]; Country Liberal Party [Terry MILLS]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [Malcolm TURNBULL]; The Nationals [Warren TRUSS] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions International organization participation: ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSON chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert D. McCALLUM, Jr. embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars Economy Australia Economy - overview: Australia has an enviable, strong economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors over the course of the economy's 17 solid years of expansion. Robust business and consumer confidence and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products fueled the economy in recent years, particularly in mining states. Drought, robust import demand, and a strong currency pushed the trade deficit up however, while infrastructure bottlenecks and a tight labor market constrained growth in export volumes and stoked inflation through mid-2008. The unwinding of the yen-based carry trade in late 2008 has contributed to a weakening of the Australian dollar. Tight global liquidity has challenged Australia's banking sector, which relies heavily on international wholesale markets for funding. The economy remains relatively healthy despite falling export commodity prices. The government plans to counter slowing growth in 2009 with fiscal stimulus efforts. GDP (purchasing power parity): $824.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.069 trillion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $39,300 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.5% industry: 26.4% services: 71.1% (2008 est.) Labor force: 11.21 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 21.1% services: 75% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 27.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $343.6 billion expenditures: $340.7 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Public debt: 15.4% of GDP note: the Commonwealth government eliminated its net debt in 2006, but continues a gross debt issue to support the market for risk-free securities (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.02% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $298.5 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $667.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.312 trillion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.298 trillion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, poultry Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 244.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 220 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.9% (2001) Oil - production: 600,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) Oil - consumption: 966,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 337,400 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 615,000 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 43.62 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 29.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 19.91 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 5.689 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$43.84 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $178.9 billion (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment Exports - partners: Japan 18.9%, China 14.2%, South Korea 8%, US 6%, NZ 5.6%, India 5.5%, UK 4.2% (2007) Imports: $187.2 billion (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Imports - partners: China 15.5%, US 12.8%, Japan 9.6%, Singapore 5.6%, Germany 5.2%, UK 4.3%, Thailand 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - donor: ODA, $2.123 billion (2006) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $25.75 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $1.032 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $333.1 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $301.1 billion (2008 est.) Currency (code): Australian dollar (AUD) Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications Australia Telephones - main lines in use: 9.76 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 21.26 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 25.5 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: Televisions: 10.15 million (1997) Internet country code: .au Internet hosts: 11.134 million (2008) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 11.24 million (2007) Transportation Australia Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 317 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 138 914 to 1,523 m: 143 under 914 m: 13 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 144 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 109 under 914 m: 16 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: gas 27,105 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km; oil 3,258 km; oil/gas/water 1 km (2008) Railways: total: 38,550 km broad gauge: 3,727 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge: 20,519 km 1.435-m gauge (1,877 km electrified) narrow gauge: 14,074 km 1.067-m gauge (2,453 km electrified) dual gauge: 230 km dual gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 812,972 km paved: 341,448 km unpaved: 471,524 km (2004) Waterways: 2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems) (2006) Merchant marine: total: 50 by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 5 foreign-owned: 24 (Canada 9, France 1, Germany 2, Japan 1, Netherlands 2, Norway 1, Singapore 1, UK 5, US 2) registered in other countries: 28 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Belize 1, Bermuda 1, Dominica 2, Fiji 1, Marshall Islands 1, NZ 1, Panama 4, Singapore 12, Tonga 1, US 1, Vanuatu 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney Military Australia Military branches: Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command (2006) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in Army combat units in non-combat support roles (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 4,999,988 females age 16-49: 4,870,043 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,341,591 females age 16-49: 4,179,659 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 144,959 female: 137,333 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Australia Disputes - international: Timor-Leste and Australia agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for fifty years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty; dispute with Timor-Leste hampers creation of a revised maritime boundary with Indonesia in the Timor Sea; regional states continue to express concern over Australia's 2004 declaration of a 1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime identification zone; Australia asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica; in 2004 Australia submitted its claims to Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to extend its continental margins covering over 3.37 million square kilometers, expanding its seabed roughly thirty percent more than its claimed exclusive economic zone; since 2003, Australia has led the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to maintain civil and political order and reinforce regional security Illicit drugs: Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Vietnam a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Vietnam Introduction Vietnam Background: The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and anti-Communist South. 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 reuniting the country under Communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups, the vast majority connected to land-use issues and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests. Geography Vietnam Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia Geographic coordinates: 16 10 N, 107 50 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 329,560 sq km land: 325,360 sq km water: 4,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March) Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower Land use: arable land: 20.14% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 72.93% (2005) Irrigated land: 30,000 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 891.2 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 71.39 cu km/yr (8%/24%/68%) per capita: 847 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta Environment - current issues: logging 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 City Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point People Vietnam Population: 86,967,524 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.9% (male 11,230,402/female 10,423,901) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 29,971,088/female 30,356,393) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 1,920,043/female 3,065,697) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 27.4 years male: 26.4 years female: 28.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.977% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 16.47 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-2010) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.58 years male: 68.78 years female: 74.57 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 290,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 24,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese Ethnic groups: Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census) Religions: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census) Languages: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.3% male: 93.9% female: 86.9% (2002 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2000) Education expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (1991) Government Vietnam Country name: conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam local short form: Viet Nam abbreviation: SRV Government type: Communist state Capital: name: Hanoi geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 59 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural) provinces: 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, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, 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 Bai municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Constitution: 15 April 1992 Legal system: based on communist legal theory and French civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006); Vice President Nguyen Thi DOAN (since 25 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June 2006); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung HAI (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien NHAN (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime minister and confirmed by National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly election results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPV 450, non-party CPV-approved 42, self-nominated 1; note - 493 candidates were elected; CPV and non-party CPV-approved delegates were members of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president) Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH]; other parties proscribed Political pressure groups and leaders: 8406 Bloc; Democratic Party of Vietnam or DPV; People's Democratic Party Vietnam or PDP-VN; Alliance for Democracy note: these groups advocate democracy but are not recognized by the government International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Le Cong PHUNG chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 consulate(s) general: San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MICHALAK embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 3850-5000 FAX: [84] (4) 3850-5010 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City Flag description: red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center Economy Vietnam Economy - overview: Vietnam is a densely-populated developing country that in the last 30 years 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. Since 2001, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive export-driven industries. Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in December 2001 have led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade and economic regime. Vietnam's exports to the US increased 900% from 2001 to 2007. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 following over a decade long negotiation process. WTO membership has provided Vietnam an anchor to the global market and reinforced the domestic economic reform process. Among other benefits, accession allows Vietnam to take advantage of the phase-out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, which eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTO partners on 1 January 2005. Agriculture's share of economic output has continued to shrink from about 25% in 2000 to less than 20% in 2008. Deep poverty has declined significantly and is now smaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines. Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one-and-a-half million people every year. The global financial crisis, however, will constrain Vietnam's ability to create jobs and further reduce poverty. As global growth sharply drops in 2009, Vietnam's export-oriented economy - exports were 68% of GDP in 2007 - will suffer from lower exports, higher unemployment and corporate bankruptcies, and decreased foreign investment. Real GDP growth for 2009 could fall between 4% and 5%. Inflation, which reached nearly 25% in 2008, will likely moderate to single digits in 2009. GDP (purchasing power parity): $246.6 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $90.88 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,900 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 42.7% services: 38.4% (2008 est.) Labor force: 47.41 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 55.6% industry: 18.9% services: 25.5% (July 2005) Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 14.8% (2007 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 28.9% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 44.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $22.39 billion expenditures: $24.19 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 38.6% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24.5% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 11.18% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $27.15 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $51.08 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $68.63 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood Industries: food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 61.02 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 48.08 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 350,700 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 271,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 394,400 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 271,100 bbl/day (2007) Oil - proved reserves: 600 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 6.86 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 6.86 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 192.5 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$12.74 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $63.73 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes Exports - partners: US 20.8%, Japan 12.5%, Australia 7.3%, China 6.9%, Singapore 4.5% (2007) Imports: $79.37 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles Imports - partners: China 19.9%, Singapore 12.1%, Taiwan 11%, Japan 9.9%, South Korea 8.5%, Thailand 6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $5.4 billion in credits and grants pledged by the 2007 Consultative Group meeting in Hanoi (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $22.78 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $23.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $43.06 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): dong (VND) Currency code: VND Exchange rates: dong (VND) per US dollar - 16,548.3 (2008 est.), 16,119 (2007), 15,983 (2006), 15,746 (2005), NA (2004) Communications Vietnam Telephones - main lines in use: 10.8 million (2007) Telephones - mobile cellular: 33.2 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: 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 domestic: 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; main lines have been substantially increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly international: country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, will provide new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) Radio broadcast stations: AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999) Radios: 8.2 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 67 (includes 61 relay, provincial, and city TV stations) (2006) Televisions: 3.57 million (1997) Internet country code: .vn Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 17.87 million (2007) Transportation Vietnam Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 10 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Heliports: Pipelines: condensate/gas 42 km; gas 66 km; refined products 206 km (2008) Railways: total: 2,600 km standard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge dual gauge: 253 km three-rail track combining 1.435 m and 1.000-m gauges (2006) Roadways: total: 222,179 km paved: 42,167 km unpaved: 180,012 km (2004) Waterways: 17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 387 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 36, cargo 280, chemical tanker 12, container 14, liquefied gas 6, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 32, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 2 (Hong Kong 1, Japan 1) registered in other countries: 64 (Honduras 1, Liberia 4, Mongolia 23, Panama 30, Tuvalu 5, unknown 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Military Vietnam Military branches: People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) (includes People's Navy Command (with naval infantry, coast guard), Air and Air Defense Force (Kon Quan Nhan Dan), Border Defense Command), People's Public Security Forces, Militia Force, Self-Defense Forces (2005) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (male) for compulsory military service; females may volunteer for active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (3 to 4 years in the navy); 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Forces (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 24,586,328 females age 16-49: 24,335,132 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 19,190,676 females age 16-49: 20,768,508 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 893,726 female: 834,279 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Vietnam Disputes - international: southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; demarcation of the China-Vietnam boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004, implementation has been delayed; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands Illicit drugs: minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Coral Sea Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Coral Sea Islands Introduction Coral Sea Islands Background: Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. Geography Coral Sea Islands Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: less than 3 sq km land: less than 3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important Area - comparative: NA Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones Environment - current issues: no permanent fresh water resources Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and turtles People Coral Sea Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.) Government Coral Sea Islands Country name: conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply Executive branch: administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy Coral Sea Islands Economy - overview: no economic activity Communications Coral Sea Islands Communications - note: there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland Transportation Coral Sea Islands Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Military Coral Sea Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues Coral Sea Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Netherlands Antilles a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Netherlands Antilles Introduction Netherlands Antilles Background: Once 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 Saint Martin is shared with France; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles; its northern portion, called Saint Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France. Geography Netherlands Antilles Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - composed of five islands, Curacao and Bonaire located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie east of the US Virgin Islands Geographic coordinates: Bonaire: 12 12 N, 68 15 W Curacao: 12 10 N, 69 00 W Saba: 17 38 N, 63 14 W Sint Eustatius: 17 30 N, 62 58 W Sint Maarten: 18 04 N, 63 04 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 960 sq km land: 960 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 15 km border countries: Saint Martin 15 km Coastline: 364 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% other: 90% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October; Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao); the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten People Netherlands Antilles Population: 227,049 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 26,429/female 25,162) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 74,183/female 79,434) 65 years and over: 9.6% (male 8,875/female 12,966) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 33.7 years male: 31.9 years female: 35.5 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 0.732% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 14.37 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 9.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.65 years male: 74.33 years female: 79.09 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Dutch Antillean(s) adjective: Dutch Antillean Ethnic groups: mixed black 85%, other 15% (includes Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian) Religions: Roman Catholic 72%, Pentecostal 4.9%, Protestant 3.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, Methodist 2.9%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, other Christian 4.2%, Jewish 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.2%, none 5.2% (2001 census) Languages: Papiamento 65.4% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), English 15.9% (widely spoken), Dutch 7.3% (official), Spanish 6.1%, Creole 1.6%, other 1.9%, unspecified 1.8% (2001 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.7% male: 96.7% female: 96.8% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2002) Education expenditures: NA Government Netherlands Antilles Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen former: Curacao and Dependencies Dependency status: an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Government type: parliamentary Capital: name: Willemstad (on Curacao) geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 68 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) National holiday: Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980) Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE (since 26 March 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature) elections: 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 27 January 2006 (next to be held by 2010) note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, DP-St. M, UPB, WIPM Saba, DP-St. E Legislative branch: unicameral States or Staten (22 seats, Curacao 14, Bonaire 3, St. Maarten 3, St. Eustatius 1, Saba 1; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 January 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAR 5, MAN 3, FOL 2, Forsa Korsou 2, National Alliance 2, PNP 2, UPB 2, DP-St. E 1, DP-St. M 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1 note: the government is a coalition of several parties Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch) Political parties and leaders: Bonaire: Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramonsito BOOI] Curacao: Ban Vota [Norbert GEORGE]; C-93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; E Mayoria [Aurelio PEDRO]; Forsa Korsou [Nelson NAVARRO]; Liste Ni'un Paso Atras [Nelson PIERRE]; Movemiento Patriotiko Korsou [Reginald LAK]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Charles COOPER]; Partido Akshon Pa Prosperidat I Seguridat [Sonja BERKEMEYER]; Partido Laboral Krusada Popular or PLKP [Errol COVA]; Party for the Restructured Antilles or PAR [Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE]; People's National Party or PNP [Ersilia DE LANNOOY]; Pidjin [Jasmin PINEDO]; Pueblo Soberano [Herman WIELS]; Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT] Saba: Saba Labor Party [Akilah LEVENSTONE]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Ray HASSELL] Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Progressive Labor Party [Clyde VAN PUTTEN]; St. Eustatius Alliance [Ingrid HOUTMAN-WHITFIELD] Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Freedom Slate of National Democratic Party [Theophilus PRIEST]; National Alliance or NA [William MARLIN]; People's Progressive Alliance or PPA [Gracita ARRINDELL]; St. Maarten People's Party [Johan LEONARD]; United People's Labor Party [Bienvenido RICHARDSON] note: political parties are indigenous to each island Political pressure groups and leaders: Employers Association (VBC); Unions (AVBO) International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Jeffrey CORRION, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Robert E. SORENSON consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066 FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489 Flag description: white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten Economy Netherlands Antilles Economy - overview: Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined or grown slightly in each of the past eight years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Most of the oil Netherlands Antilles imports for its refineries come from Venezuela. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, the US, Italy, and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. Budgetary problems hamper reform of the health and pension systems of an aging population. The Netherlands provides financial aid to support the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.8 billion (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2004 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $16,000 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000 est.) Labor force: Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 20% services: 79% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 17% (2002 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $757.9 million expenditures: $949.5 million (2004) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2003 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 9.21% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.133 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $2.309 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $2.927 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $488.6 billion (2003) Agriculture - products: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit Industries: tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 1.195 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 992 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - consumption: 67,450 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 206,900 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 277,600 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $3.71 billion f.o.b. (2006) Exports - commodities: petroleum products Exports - partners: US 18.9%, Mexico 13.3%, Panama 11.4%, Singapore 6.9%, Haiti 6.6%, Bahamas, The 5.3% (2007) Imports: $15.74 billion f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, food, manufactures Imports - partners: Venezuela 59.1%, US 17.7%, Brazil 7.1% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $21.32 million (2004) Debt - external: $2.68 billion (2004) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) Currency code: ANG Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003) Communications Netherlands Antilles Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: country code - 599; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the Americas-2 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 0 (2003) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 3 (there is also a cable service that supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and 4 Venezuelan channels) (2003) Televisions: Internet country code: .an Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Netherlands Antilles Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 845 Merchant marine: total: 147 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2, cargo 72, carrier 19, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 3 foreign-owned: 123 (Belgium 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 21, Denmark 2, Germany 43, Hong Kong 2, Netherlands 38, Norway 3, Sweden 1, Turkey 10, US 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Bopec Terminal, Willemstad Military Netherlands Antilles Military branches: no regular military forces; National Guard (2008) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for National Guard recruitment; no conscription (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 55,365 females age 16-49: 57,060 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 46,461 females age 16-49: 47,325 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 1,920 female: 1,827 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Transnational Issues Netherlands Antilles Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Southern Ocean a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Southern Ocean Introduction Southern Ocean Background: A large body of recent oceanographic research has shown that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), an ocean current that flows from west to east around Antarctica, plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation. The region where the cold waters of the ACC meet and mingle with the warmer waters of the north defines a distinct border - the Antarctic Convergence - which fluctuates with the seasons, but which encompasses a discrete body of water and a unique ecologic region. The Convergence concentrates nutrients, which promotes marine plant life, and which in turn allows for a greater abundance of animal life. In the spring of 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization decided to delimit the waters within the Convergence as a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - by combining 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 and which approximates the extent of the Antarctic Convergence. As such, 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). It should be noted that inclusion of the Southern Ocean does not imply recognition of this feature as one of the world's primary oceans by the US Government. Geography Southern Ocean Location: body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica Geographic coordinates: 60 00 S, 90 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 longitude Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 20.327 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 bodies Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of the US Coastline: 17,968 km Climate: sea 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 winter Terrain: the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 m 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 m (the global mean is 133 m); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million sq km in March to about 18.8 million sq km 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 Elevation extremes: lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: probable 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, fish Natural hazards: huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 m 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 rescue Environment - current issues: increased 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 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 cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the north Geography - note: the 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 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 Economy Southern Ocean Economy - overview: Fisheries in 2005-06 landed 128,081 metric tons, of which 83% (106,591 tons) was krill (Euphausia superba) and 9.7% (12,364 tons) Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), compared to 147,506 tons in 2004-05 of which 86% (127,035 tons) was krill and 8% (11,821 tons) Patagonian toothfish (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Southern Ocean area). International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 2000-01 season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish. In the 2006-07 Antarctic summer, 35,552 tourists visited the Southern Ocean, compared to 29,799 in 2005-2006 (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), and does not include passengers on overflights and those flying directly in and out of Antarctica). Transportation Southern Ocean Ports and terminals: McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica note: few ports or harbors exist on southern side of Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most 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 observers under Article 7 of the Antarctic Treaty; The Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UK, and US (2007) Transportation - note: Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canal Transnational Issues Southern Ocean Disputes - international: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctica entry), but Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK assert claims (some overlapping), including the continental shelf in the Southern Ocean; several states have expressed an interest in extending those continental shelf claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to include undersea ridges; the US and most other states do not recognize the land or maritime claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal claims exist in the waters in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Kosovo a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Kosovo Introduction Kosovo Background: Ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century but did not fully incorporate them into the Serbian realm until the early 13th century. The defeat of the Serbian empire at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia with status almost equivalent to that of a republic under the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. At the same time, Serb nationalist leaders, such as Slobodan MILOSEVIC, exploited Kosovo Serb claims of maltreatment to secure votes from supporters, many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland. Under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia instituted a new constitution in 1989 that revoked Kosovo's status as an autonomous province of Serbia. Kosovo Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum that declared Kosovo independent. Under MILOSEVIC, Serbia carried out repressive measures against the Albanians in the early 1990s as the unofficial Kosovo government, led by Ibrahim RUGOVA, used passive resistance in an attempt to try to gain international assistance and recognition of an independent Kosovo. Albanians dissatisfied with RUGOVA's passive strategy in the 1990s created the Kosovo Liberation Army and launched an insurgency. Starting in 1998, Serbian military, police, and paramilitary forces conducted a counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians. International attempts to mediate the conflict failed, and MILOSEVIC's rejection of a proposed settlement led to a three-month NATO bombing campaign against Serbia beginning in March 1999 that forced Serbia to agree to withdraw its military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The negotiations ran in stages between 2006 and 2007, but ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, over fifty countries have recognized Kosovo. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence and subsequently has sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legality under international law of Kosovo's independence declaration. Geography Kosovo Location: Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia Geographic coordinates: 42 35 N, 21 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 10,887 sq km land: 10,887 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 702 km border countries: Albania 112 km, Macedonia 159 km, Montenegro 79 km, Serbia 352 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December Terrain: flat fluvial basin with an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m Elevation extremes: lowest point: Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim 297 m (located on the border with Albania) highest point: Gjeravica/Deravica 2,565 m Natural resources: nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite People Kosovo Population: 1,804,838 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.7% (male 260,678/female 239,779) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 617,890/female 567,939) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 50,463/female 68,089) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.9 years male: 25.4 years female: 26.4 years Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Nationality: noun: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovac (Serbian) adjective: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovski (Serbian) note: Kosovan, a neutral term, is sometimes also used as a noun or adjective Ethnic groups: Albanians 88%, Serbs 7%, other 5% (Bosniak, Gorani, Roma, Turk, Ashkali, Egyptian) Religions: Muslim, Serbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic Languages: Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Bosnian, Turkish, Roma Government Kosovo Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kosovo conventional short form: Kosovo local long form: Republika e Kosoves (Republika Kosova) local short form: Kosova (Kosovo) Government type: republic Capital: name: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina) geographic coordinates: 42 40 N, 21 10 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 33 municipalities (komunat, singular - komuna in Albanian; opstine, singular - opstina in Serbian); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gllogovc/Drenas (Glogovac), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Han i Elezit (Deneral Jankovic), Istog (Istok), Junik, Kacanik, Kamenice/Dardana (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mamushe (Mamusa), Mitrovice (Mitrovica), Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan Independence: 17 February 2008 (from Serbia) National holiday: Independence Day, 17 February (2008) Constitution: adopted by the Kosovo Assembly on 9 April 2008; effective 15 June 2008 Legal system: evolving legal system based on terms of UN Special Envoy Martti AHTISAARI's Plan for Kosovo's supervised independence Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Fatmir SEJDIU (since 10 February 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hashim THACI (since 9 January 2008) cabinet: ministers; elected by the Kosovo Assembly elections: the president is elected for a five-year term by the Kosovo Assembly; election last held 9 January 2008 (next to be held by in 2013); the prime minister is elected by the Kosovo Assembly election results: Fatmir SEJDIU reelected president after three rounds; first round: Fatmir SEJDIU 62, Naim MALOKU 37; second round: Fatmir SEJDIU 61, Naim MALOKU 37; third round: Fatmir SEJDIU 68; and Hashim THACI elected to be prime minister by the Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral national Assembly (120 seats; 100 seats directly elected, 10 seats guaranteed for ethnic Serbs, 10 seats guaranteed for other ethnic minorities; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PDK 34.3%, LDK 22.6%, AKR 12.3%, LDD 10.0%, AAK 9.6%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PDK 37, LDK 25, AKR 13, LDD 11, AAK 10, other 4 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; district courts; municipal courts note: the Kosovo Constitution dictates that the Supreme Court of Kosovo is the highest judicial authority, and provides for a Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) that proposes to the president candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors; the KJC is also responsible for decisions on the promotion and transfer of judges and disciplinary proceedings against judges; at least 15% of Supreme Court and district court judges shall be from non-majority communities Political parties and leaders: Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo or PShDK [Tome MARKU]; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]; Alliance for a New Kosovo or AKR [Behgjet PACOLLI]; Alliance of Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo and Metohija or SDSKIM [Slavisa PETKOVIC]; Autonomous Liberal Party of SLS [Slobodan PETROVIC]; Bosniak Vakat Coalition [Dzezair MURATI]; Citizens' Initiative of Gora or GIG [Murselj HALJILJI]; Council of Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo or SNSDKIM [Ljubisa ZIVIC]; Democratic Action Party or SDA [Numan BALIC]; Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo or PDAK; Democratic League of Dardania or LDD [Nexhat DACI]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Fatmir SEJDIU]; Democratic Party of Ashkali of Kosovo or PDAK [Sabit RAHMANI]; Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Democratic Party Vatan [Sadik IDRIZI]; Democratic Union of Ashkalis or BDA [Sabit RRAHMANI]; Justice Party or PD [Sylejman QERKEZI]; Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party of KDTP [Mahir YAGCILAR]; Liberal Party of Kosovo or PLK [Gjergi DEDAJ]; New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Xhevdet NEZIRAJ]; New Democratic Party or ND [Branislav GRBIC]; New Kosovo Alliance or AKR [Behxhet PACOLLI]; Popular Movement of Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI]; Reform Party Ora [Teuta SAHATCIA]; Serb National Party or SNS [Mihailo SCEPANOVIC]; Serbian Kosovo and Metohija Party or SKMS [Dragisa MIRIC]; Serbian List for Kosovo and Metohija [Oliver IVANOVIC]; Social Democratic Party of Kosovo or PSDK [Agim CEKU]; United Roma Party of Kosovo or PREBK [Haxhi Zylfi MERXHA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedom (human rights); Humanitarian Law Centre (human rights); Movement for Self-Determination; Serb National Council (SNV) International organization participation: ITUC, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Avni SPAHIU chancery: 900 19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 2006 telephone: 202-436-3581 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tina KAIDANOW embassy: Arberia/Dragodan, Nazim Hikmet 30, Pristina, Kosovo mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: 381 38 59 59 3000 FAX: 381 38 549 890 Flag description: centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars - each representing one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo - arrayed in a slight arc Economy Kosovo Economy - overview: Over the past few years Kosovo's economy has shown significant progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany and Switzerland - are estimated to account for about 15% of GDP, and donor-financed activities and aid for another 15%. Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe with an average annual per capita income of only $2,300. Unemployment, around 40% of the population, is a significant problem that encourages outward migration and black market activity. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and lack of technical expertise. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize 50% of its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by number, and over 90% of SOEs by value. Minerals and metals - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once formed the backbone of industry, but output has declined because of ageing equipment and insufficient investment. A limited and unreliable electricity supply due to technical and financial problems is a major impediment to economic development. Kosovo's Ministry of Energy and Mining has solicited expressions of interest from private investors to develop a new power plant in order to address Kosovo and the region's unmet and growing demands for power. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used in Serb enclaves. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Kosovo has one of the most open economies in the region, and continues to work with the international community on measures to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $5 billion (2007 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $3.237 billion (2007 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.1% (2007 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,300 (2007 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 20% services: 60% (2007 est.) Labor force: 550,000 (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 16.5% industry: NA services: NA (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: 37% (2007 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30 (FY05/06) Investment (gross fixed): 30% of GDP (2007 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.19 billion expenditures: $1.22 billion (2007 est.) Public debt: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2007 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers Industries: mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances Electricity - production: 832 million kWh (2006) Electricity - consumption: 4.281 billion kWh (2006) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007) Oil - consumption: NA bbl Oil - proved reserves: NA bbl Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007) Natural gas - proved reserves: NA cu m Current account balance: -$964 million (2007) Exports: $527 million (2007) Exports - commodities: mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances Imports: $2.6 billion (2007) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment Economic aid - recipient: $324 million (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA Debt - external: NA Currency (code): euro (EUR); Serbian Dinar (RSD) is also in circulation Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007) Communications Kosovo Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Transportation Kosovo Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2008) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2008) Heliports: Railways: total: 430 km (2005) Roadways: total: 1,924 km paved: 1,666 km unpaved: 258 km (2006) Military Kosovo Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 428,685 females age 16-49: 388,848 (2009 est.) Transnational Issues Kosovo Disputes - international: Serbia with several other states protest the US and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008 Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDP's: 21,000 (2007) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Virgin Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Virgin Islands Introduction Virgin Islands Background: During 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. Geography Virgin Islands Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 1,910 sq km land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources Geography - note: important 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 Caribbean People Virgin Islands Population: 109,825 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.4% (male 11,394/female 11,048) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 33,843/female 38,574) 65 years and over: 13.6% (male 6,747/female 8,219) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 38.6 years female: 39.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: -0.029% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 12.29 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.05 years male: 76.02 years female: 82.26 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census) Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA% female: NA% (2005 est.) Education expenditures: NA Government Virgin Islands Country name: conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI Dependency status: organized, 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 Interior Government type: NA Capital: name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010) election results: John DeJONGH elected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7% Legislative branch: unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3 note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008) Judicial branch: US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: IOC, UPU, WFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US) Flag description: white field 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 Economy Virgin Islands Economy - overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, rum distilling, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.577 billion (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $NA GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2002 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $14,500 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.) Labor force: 43,980 (2004 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.) Unemployment rate: Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Inflation rate (consumer prices): Agriculture - products: fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 960 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 892.8 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 17,620 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 91,680 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - exports: 398,500 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 492,300 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: NA Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Exports: $4.234 billion (2001) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum products Imports: $4.609 billion (2001) Imports - commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials Economic aid - recipient: $NA Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): US dollar (USD) Currency code: USD Exchange rates: the US dollar is used Communications Virgin Islands Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay domestic: full range of services available international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .vi Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Virgin Islands Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 1,257 km (2007) Ports and terminals: Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay Military Virgin Islands Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 17,820 females age 16-49: 21,193 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 831 female: 873 (2009 est.) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Virgin Islands Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Honduras a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Honduras Introduction Honduras Background: Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Geography Honduras Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 112,090 sq km land: 111,890 sq km water: 200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 1,520 km border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km Coastline: 820 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 9.53% permanent crops: 3.21% other: 87.26% (2005) Irrigated land: 800 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 95.9 cu km (2000) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.86 cu km/yr (8%/12%/80%) per capita: 119 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast Environment - current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast People Honduras Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,514,544/female 1,451,862) 15-64 years: 58.3% (male 2,278,508/female 2,267,527) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 125,991/female 154,422) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.3 years male: 20 years female: 20.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.956% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 26.93 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 24.03 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.4 years male: 67.86 years female: 71.02 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.27 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 28,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) Nationality: noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3% Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80% male: 79.8% female: 80.2% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2004) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (1991) Government Honduras Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Honduras conventional short form: Honduras local long form: Republica de Honduras local short form: Honduras Government type: democratic constitutional republic Capital: name: Tegucigalpa geographic coordinates: 14 06 N, 87 13 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza (since 1 February 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; because the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket, the position of "vice president commissioner" was created after Vice President Elvin SANTOS resigned in late 2008 to run for president in the November 2009 election head of government: President Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales (since 27 January 2006); Vice President Commissioner Aristides MEJIA Carranza (since 1 February 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales elected president - 49.8%, Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa 46.1%, other 4.1% Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members are elected proportionally by department to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 62, PN 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Felicito AVILA]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Cesar HAM]; Liberal Party or PL [Patricia RODAS]; National Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Jorge AQUILAR Paredes]; National Party of Honduras or PN [Porfirio LOBO] Political pressure groups and leaders: Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto FLORES BERMUDEZ chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco honorary consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, Jacksonville Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo LLORENS embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 236-9320, 238-5114 FAX: [504] 238-4357 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band Economy Honduras Economy - overview: Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, has an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and high unemployment. The economy relies heavily on a narrow range of exports, notably bananas and coffee, making it vulnerable to natural disasters and shifts in commodity prices; however, investments in the maquila and non-traditional export sectors are slowly diversifying the economy. Economic growth remains dependent on the US economy its largest trading partner, and will decline in 2009 as a result of reduction in export demand and tightening global credit markets. Remittances represent over a quarter of GDP or nearly three-quarters of exports. The US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) came into force in 2006 and has helped foster investment. Despite improvements in tax collections, the government's fiscal deficit is growing due to increases in current expenditures and financial losses from the state energy and telephone companies. GDP (purchasing power parity): $28.48 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $13.78 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.3% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,700 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.4% industry: 28.2% services: 58.5% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.892 million (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 39.2% industry: 20.9% services: 39.8% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 27.8% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 42.2% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Investment (gross fixed): 31.5% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.628 billion expenditures: $3.183 billion; including capital expenditures of $106 million (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Public debt: 21% of GDP (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.9% (2008 est.) Central bank discount rate: NA Commercial bank prime lending rate: 16.61% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.573 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $5.266 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $6.298 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp, tilapia, lobster; corn, African palm Industries: sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 5.753 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 4.233 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 11.8 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 50.2% hydro: 49.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 46,830 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 418 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 44,040 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: -$2.047 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $6.236 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber Exports - partners: US 67.2%, El Salvador 4.9%, Guatemala 3.9% (2007) Imports: $10.2 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs Imports - partners: US 52.4%, Guatemala 7.1%, El Salvador 5.2%, Mexico 4.5%, Costa Rica 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $680.8 million (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.096 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $3.602 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Currency (code): lempira (HNL) Currency code: HNL Exchange rates: lempiras (HNL) per US dollar - 18.983 (2008 est.), 18.9 (2007), 18.895 (2006), 18.92 (2005), 18.206 (2004) Communications Honduras Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 4.185 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is among the least developed in Latin America; fixed-line connections are limited; multiple providers of mobile-cellular services domestic: beginning in 2003, private sub-operators allowed to provide fixed-lines in order to expand telephone coverage; fixed-line teledensity has increased to about 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone service has been increasing rapidly and subscribership in 2007 approached 60 per 100 persons international: country code - 504; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System Radio broadcast stations: AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998) Radios: 2.45 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997) Televisions: Internet country code: .hn Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Honduras Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 100 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 83 (2007) Railways: total: 699 km narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 13,600 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,825 km (2000) Waterways: 465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2008) Merchant marine: total: 123 by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 57, chemical tanker 6, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 42 (Bangladesh 1, Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 3, Greece 4, Hong Kong 1, Israel 1, Japan 4, South Korea 6, Lebanon 1, Mexico 1, Singapore 12, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, Vietnam 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela Military Honduras Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary 2 to 3-year military service (2004) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,868,940 females age 16-49: 1,825,770 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,397,938 females age 16-49: 1,402,398 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 92,638 female: 88,993 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2006 est.) Transnational Issues Honduras Disputes - international: International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in 1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States (OAS) survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum; memorials and countermemorials were filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea - final public hearings are scheduled for 2007 Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Tuvalu a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Tuvalu Introduction Tuvalu Background: In 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 a 12-year period. Geography Tuvalu Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 24 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Terrain: very low-lying and narrow coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 66.67% other: 33.33% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level Environment - current issues: since 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 concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon People Tuvalu Population: 12,373 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.2% (male 1,841/female 1,770) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,973/female 4,141) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 240/female 408) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.4 years male: 24.4 years female: 26.6 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.616% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 22.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 6.98 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: NA (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.29 years male: 66.99 years female: 71.7 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan Ethnic groups: Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4% Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Languages: Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Literacy: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2001) Education expenditures: NA Government Tuvalu Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu local long form: none local short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Funafuti geographic coordinates: 8 30 S, 179 12 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: administrative offices are located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet Administrative divisions: none Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Constitution: 1 October 1978 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Apisai IELEMIA (since 14 August 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: 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 14 August 2006 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2010) election results: Apisai IELEMIA elected Prime Minister in a Parliamentary election on 14 August 2006 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 15 Judicial branch: High 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) Political parties and leaders: there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IFRCS (observer), IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu Flag description: 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 Economy Tuvalu Economy - overview: Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports and is almost entirely dependent upon imported food and fuel. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Job opportunities are scarce and public sector workers make up the majority of those employed. About 15% of the adult male population work as seamen on merchant ships abroad and remittances are a vital source of income, contributing around $4 million in 2006. Substantial income is received annually from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF), 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 grew from an initial $17 million to an estimated value of $77 million in 2006. The TFF contributed nearly $9 million towards the government budget in 2006 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. The US Government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to ensure financial stability and sustainability, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts. Tuvalu also derives royalties from the lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name, with revenue of more than $2 million in 2006. A minor source of government revenue comes from the sale of stamps and coins. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and income from overseas investments. Growing income disparities and the vulnerability of the country to climatic change are among leading concerns for the nation. GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.94 million (2002 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $14.94 million (2002) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2002 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.6% industry: 27.2% services: 56.2% (2002) Labor force: 3,615 (2004 est.) Labor force - by occupation: note: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Budget: revenues: $21.54 million expenditures: $23.05 million (2006) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (2006 est.) Agriculture - products: coconuts; fish Industries: fishing, tourism, copra Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Current account balance: -$11.68 million (2003) Exports: $1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: copra, fish Imports: $12.91 million c.i.f. (2005) Imports - commodities: food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods Economic aid - recipient: $10.49 million note: includes distributions from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (2006) Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar Currency code: AUD Exchange rates: Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per U 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Communications Tuvalu Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: Telephone system: general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands international: country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .tv Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Tuvalu Airports: Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 8 km paved: 8 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 80 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 30, chemical tanker 14, container 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 63 (China 16, Hong Kong 7, Kenya 1, South Korea 1, Malaysia 1, Maldives 1, Norway 1, Russia 2, Singapore 23, Thailand 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 1, US 1, Vietnam 5) (2008) Ports and terminals: Funafuti Military Tuvalu Military branches: no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (2008) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 2,462 females age 16-49: 2,631 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 125 female: 121 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: NA Transnational Issues Tuvalu Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Introduction United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Background: All of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Baker Island: The 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 began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Jarvis Island: First 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 until it was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Johnston Atoll: 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. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. 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, cleanup, and closure of the facility was completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force. Kingman Reef: The 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 are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. Midway Islands: The 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 National Wildlife Refuge and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony. Palmyra Atoll: The 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 partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as a National Wildlife Refuge in January 2001. Geography United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Location: Oceania Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,830 nm (3,389 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 1,815 nm (3,361 km) southwest of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Australia Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 1,305 nm (2,417 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and Cook Islands Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1,328 km) southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 930 nm (1,722 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,260 nm (2,334 km) northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 960 nm (1,778 km) south of Honolulu, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa Geographic coordinates: Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W Map references: Oceania Area: total - 6,959.41 sq km; emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km Area - comparative: Baker Island: about two and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Howland Island: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Johnston Atoll: about four and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Kingman Reef: a little more than one and a half times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Midway Islands: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: Baker Island: 4.8 km Howland Island: 6.4 km Jarvis Island: 8 km Johnston Atoll: 34 km Kingman Reef: 3 km Midway Islands: 15 km Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 1,067 mm (42 in) of annual rainfall occurs during the winter Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 4,000-5,000 mm (160-200 in) of rainfall each year Terrain: low and nearly level sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location - less than 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location - 3 m Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2008) Natural hazards: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA Environment - current issues: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll: no natural fresh water resources Kingman Reef: none Midway Islands and Palmyra Atoll: NA Geography - note: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public Johnston Atoll: 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; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public Midway Islands: a 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 Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest People United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: 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 Johnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005 all US government personnel had left the island Midway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll Palmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife staff, and researchers Government United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island; Howland Island; Jarvis Island; Johnston Atoll; Kingman Reef; Midway Islands; Palmyra Atoll Dependency status: unincorporated territories 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 system note on Palmyra Atoll: incorporated Territory of the US; partly privately owned and partly federally owned; administered from Washington, DC by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon Legal system: the laws of the US, where applicable, apply Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territories of the US) Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Airports: Baker Island: one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable Howland Island: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN; the aviators left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable Johnston Atoll: one closed and not maintained Kingman Reef: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 Midway Islands: 3 - one operational (2,409 m paved); no fuel for sale except emergencies Palmyra Atoll: 1 - 1,846 m unpaved runway; privately owned (2008) Ports and terminals: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none; offshore anchorage only Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island Midway Islands: Sand Island Palmyra Atoll: West Lagoon Military United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Introduction South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Background: The islands, which have large bird and seal populations, lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 - except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. 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 scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island. Geography South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America Geographic coordinates: 54 30 S, 37 00 W Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 3,903 sq km land: 3,903 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: NA km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (2005) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in the 20th century, live on South Georgia People South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001 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 Government South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Country name: conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands conventional short form: none abbreviation: SGSSI Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islands presides over the Magistrates Court Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land) Economy South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Economy - overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting finfish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Communications South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken Radio broadcast stations: Television broadcast stations: Internet country code: .gs Internet hosts: Transportation South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Ports and terminals: Grytviken Military South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Disputes - international: Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Congo, Republic of the a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Congo, Republic of the Introduction Congo, Republic of the Background: Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term. Geography Congo, Republic of the Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 342,000 sq km land: 341,500 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 5,504 km border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.45% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 98.4% (2005) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 832 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%) per capita: 8 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: seasonal flooding Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them People Congo, Republic of the Population: note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.9% (male 927,599/female 915,540) 15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,021,975/female 1,034,119) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 46,687/female 66,889) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 16.8 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.1 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 2.754% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 41.76 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 12.28 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -1.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 79.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 85.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.15 years male: 52.9 years female: 55.43 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.84 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 79,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,400 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) animal contact disease: rabies (2008) Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.8% male: 89.6% female: 78.4% (2003 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2003) Education expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2005) Government Congo, Republic of the Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local long form: Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo Government type: republic Capital: name: Brazzaville geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E time difference: UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1960) Constitution: approved by referendum 20 January 2002 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); head of government: Prime Minister Isidore MVOUBA (since 7 January 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held in March 2009) election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 2.7% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 August 2008 (next to be held in 2013); National Assembly - last held 24 June and 5 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, MCDDI 11, UPADS 11, MAR 5, MSD 5, independents 37, other 22 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Action Movement for Renewal or MAR; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Congolese Labour Party or PCT; Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR; United Democratic Forces or FDU [Sebastian EBAO]; many less important parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Allan EASTHAM embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, BDEAC Building, 4th Floor, Brazzaville; note - a new embassy is expected to open in 2009 mailing address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville telephone: [242] 281-1481, [242] 281-3368; note - until the new embassy in Brazzaville becomes operational, some duties will still be handled in the US embassy in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of the Congo Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Congo, Republic of the Economy - overview: The economy is a mixture of subsistence agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on oil, and support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. Recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo. GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.79 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $13.35 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 10.2% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.6% industry: 57.1% services: 37.3% (2006 est.) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 19.3% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $5.363 billion expenditures: $2.758 billion (2008 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2008 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 15% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $1.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $204.3 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: NA Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA Agriculture - products: cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products Industries: petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes Industrial production growth rate: 15% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 444 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - consumption: 564 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 411 million kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.3% hydro: 99.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 261,000 bbl/day Oil - consumption: 7,677 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 230,200 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - imports: 1,702 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 180 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 180 million cu m (2006 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: $406 million (2008 est.) Exports: $9.009 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds Exports - partners: US 41%, China 36.5%, Taiwan 3.6% (2007) Imports: $2.722 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs Imports - partners: France 18.1%, South Korea 14.7%, China 12.6%, Italy 10.3%, India 4.7%, US 4.2% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $1.449 billion (2005) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.845 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $5 billion (2000 est.) Currency (code): Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 483.6 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) Communications Congo, Republic of the Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.334 million (2007) Telephone system: general assessment: services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order; fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged reaching 35 per 100 persons domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001) Radios: Television broadcast stations: Televisions: Internet country code: .cg Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Congo, Republic of the Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 9 (2007) Pipelines: gas 7 km; oil 207 km (2008) Railways: total: 894 km narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 17,289 km paved: 864 km unpaved: 16,425 km (2004) Waterways: 1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2008) Merchant marine: registered in other countries: 1 (Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire Military Congo, Republic of the Military branches: Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie, Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women allowed to serve (2007) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 842,771 females age 16-49: 833,624 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 538,202 females age 16-49: 527,649 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 46,976 female: 46,490 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2006) Transnational Issues Congo, Republic of the Disputes - international: the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 46,341 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,564 (Rwanda) IDPs: 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic Lari) (2007) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; girls are trafficked from rural areas within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, forced street vending, and domestic servitude; children are trafficked from other African countries for domestic servitude, forced market vending, and forced labor in the fishing industry tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; struggling to recover from six years of civil conflict that ended in 2003, the Republic of the Congo's capacity to address trafficking is handicapped; the government neither monitors its borders for trafficking activity nor provides specialized anti-trafficking training for law enforcement officials; the government does not encourage victims to assist in trafficking investigations or prosecutions, and has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts in the Republic of the Congo (2008) This page was last updated on 1 January 2003 This page was last updated on 19 March, 2009   CIA - The World Factbook -- Nepal a { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #000000; text-decoration: none}   Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Nepal Introduction Nepal Background: In 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. An insurgency led by Maoist extremists broke out in 1996. The ensuing ten-year civil war between insurgents and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king. Several weeks of mass protests in April 2006 were followed by several months of peace negotiations between the Maoists and government officials, and culminated in a November 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The Constituent Assembly elected the country's first president in July. The Maoists, who received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, formed a coalition government in August 2008. Geography Nepal Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 147,181 sq km land: 143,181 sq km water: 4,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arkansas Land boundaries: total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land use: arable land: 16.07% permanent crops: 0.85% other: 83.08% (2005) Irrigated land: 11,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 210.2 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) per capita: 375 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons Environment - current issues: deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively People Nepal Population: 28,563,377 (July 2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.6% (male 5,327,484/female 5,127,178) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 8,094,494/female 8,812,675) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 566,666/female 634,880) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 20.8 years male: 19.8 years female: 21.7 years (2008 est.) Population growth rate: 1.281% (2009 est.) Birth rate: 29.92 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration rate: -3.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 47.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.46 years male: 64.3 years female: 66.67 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.64 children born/woman (2009 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 70,000 (2007 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,000 (2007 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: Japanese encephalitis and malaria (2008) Nationality: noun: Nepalese (singular and plural) adjective: Nepalese Ethnic groups: Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census) Religions: Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) note: only official Hindu state in the world Languages: Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census) note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.6% male: 62.7% female: 34.9% (2001 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2003) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2003) Government Nepal Country name: conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal local long form: Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal local short form: Nepal Government type: federal democratic republic Capital: name: Kathmandu geographic coordinates: 27 43 N, 85 19 E time difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH) National holiday: Republic Day, 29 May; Democracy Day, 24 April Constitution: 15 January 2007 (interim Constitution); note - in April 2008, a Constituent Assembly was elected to draft and promulgate a new constitution by May 2010 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ram Baran YADAV (as of 23 July 2008); Vice President Paramananda JHA (as of 23 July 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (as of 18 August 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bamdev GAUTAM cabinet: cabinet formed in August 2008 by a majority coalition made up of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist, Madhesi People's Rights Forum, and several smaller parties elections: president elected by Parliament; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; election last held 21 July 2008;(date of next election NA) election results: Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the Constituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008; Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282 Legislative branch: unicameral Constituent Assembly (601 seats; 240 seats decided by direct popular vote; 335 seats by proportional representation; 26 appointed by the Cabinet (Council of Ministers)) elections: last held 10 April 2008 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - CPN-M 38%, NC 19%, CPN-UML 19%,Madhesi People's Right Forum 9%, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhavana Party 5%, other 10%; seats by party - CPN-M 220, NC 110, CPN-UML 103, Madhesi People's Rights Forum 52, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party 20, Sadbhawana Party 9, other smaller parties 61; note - 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (the President appoints the chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the chief justice appoints other judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Council) Political parties and leaders: Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekata Party [Keshav Prasad MAINALI]; Communist Party of Nepal (ML) [C.P. MAINALI]; Communist Party of Nepal (Unified) [Raj Singh SHRIS]; Communist Party of Nepal (United) [Ganesh SHAH]; Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Jhalanath KHANAL]; Dalit Janajati Party [Vishwendraman PASHWAN]; Madhesi People's Rights Forum [Upendra YADAV]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Pashupati Shumsher RANA] (also called Rastriya Prajatantra Party or RPP); Nepal Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal [Upendra GACHCHHADAR]; Nepal Pariwar Dal [Vinod DANGI]; Nepal Rastriya Party [Khushilal YADAV]; Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandi Devi) [Shyam Sundar GUPTA]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]; Nepali Congress Party or NCP [Girija Prasad KOIRALA]; Nepali Janata Dal [Bharat Prasad MAHATO]; Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra BAHADUR K.C.]; Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA]; Rastriya Janashakti Party or RJP [Surya Bahadur THAPA]; Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal [Kamal THAPA]; Sadbhavana Party (Mahato) [Rajendra MAHATO]; Samajbadi Prajatantrik Janata Party Nepal [Prem Bahadur SINGH]; Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch [Kamal CHHARAHANG]; Terai-Madhes Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR]; United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRACHANDA, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: several small armed Madhesi groups along the southern border with India; a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy for individual ethnic groups International organization participation: ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534 consulate(s) general: New York: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy J. POWELL embassy: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 400-7200 FAX: [977] (1) 400-7272 Flag description: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun Economy Nepal Economy - overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with almost one-third of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for 38% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Bumper crops, better security, improved transportation, and increased tourism pushed growth past 5% in 2008, after growth had hovered around 2.6% - barely above the rate of population growth - for the previous three years. The deteriorating world economy in 2009 will challenge tourism and remittance growth, a key source of foreign exchange. Nepal has considerable scope for 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 and landlocked geographic location, its civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. GDP (purchasing power parity): $30.84 billion (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $12.64 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38% industry: 20% services: 42% (FY05/06 est.) Labor force: 11.11 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (2006 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 76% industry: 6% services: 18% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 42% (2004 est.) Population below poverty line: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 40.6% (2004) Distribution of family income - Gini index: Budget: revenues: $1.153 billion expenditures: $1.927 billion (FY06/07) Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 6.25% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 8% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $2.184 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $4.745 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $5.636 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $4.909 billion (31 December 2007) Agriculture - products: pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (FY05/06) Electricity - production: 2.703 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 2.276 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 165 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 380 million kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.5% hydro: 91.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 16,960 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 11,530 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: $58 million (2007) Exports: $830 million f.o.b.; note - does not include unrecorded border trade with India (2006) Exports - commodities: clothing, carpets, leather goods, jute goods, pulses, grain Exports - partners: India 69.3%, US 8.8%, Germany 4.1% (2007) Imports: $2.398 billion f.o.b. (2006) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, electrical goods Imports - partners: India 58.9%, China 13.6%, Japan 1.6% (2007) Economic aid - recipient: $427.9 million (2005) Debt - external: $3.07 billion (March 2006) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Currency (code): Nepalese rupee (NPR) Currency code: NPR Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - 65.21 (2008), 70.35 (2007), 72.446 (2006), 72.16 (2005), 73.674 (2004) Communications Nepal Telephones - main lines in use: Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.157 million (2006) Telephone system: general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network domestic: NA international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 80, shortwave 4 (2008) Radios: Television broadcast stations: 9 (plus 9 repeaters) (2008) Televisions: Internet country code: .np Internet hosts: Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Internet users: Transportation Nepal Airports: Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 1 (2007) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 30 (2007) Railways: total: 59 km narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2006) Roadways: total: 17,280 km paved: 9,829 km unpaved: 7,451 km (2004) Military Nepal Military branches: Nepalese Army, Armed Police Force (2008) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for military training; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 7,322,965 females age 16-49: 6,859,064 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 4,886,103 females age 16-49: 5,525,764 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 365,567 female: 352,643 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2006)